Protesters that forced Sri Lanka's president out of his palace want to hold the building until he steps down next week as he promised.
On Saturday, hundreds of thousands gathered at the district of the official residences in protest against the country's unprecedented economic crisis. They blame President Gotabaya Rajapaksa for this.
Several hundred people managed to get into the presidential palace. Guards tried to keep them from climbing the gates, but they were unable to stop them long enough to let the president go.
Lahiru Weerasekara was one of the student leaders in the movement's struggle on Sunday. He said, "We will not give up until he is truly gone."
A refugee aboard a military ship, the president was on his way to the northeast corner of the island. He announced that he would resign next Wednesday, after a day marked with other acts of force and demonstrations.
Saturday's events were the result of a series of violent and persistent protests over recent months about the country's food shortages, medicine, and energy shortages. Residents blame a lot of the corruption and incompetence of Rajapaksa brothers, who have shared power for more then fifteen years.
According to the United Nations on Sunday, three quarters of the population in this country of middle income are cutting back their diet.
On Sunday, however, the mood of the demonstrators was one of joy. Joy of victory since the president had promised to leave his position. You can also experience a greater joy, as you are able to take a few moments of the luxury that is usually reserved for leaders of states.
They occupy the Presidential Palace, as well as the Prime Minister's palace and the offices of these leaders.
On Sunday morning, you could see people quietly walking through these buildings, using the soft armchairs, or waiting to sit in the presidential chair. They were admiring the art and trying out the grand piano, or marveling at how the air conditioner works.
Sri Sumeda, a Buddhist monk, said that rulers who live in such luxury are obviously not aware of the lives of ordinary people.
Some had used the swimming pool outside on Saturday. On Sunday, in the park of the former residence of Ceylon's governor during British colonization, families were enjoying a picnic and temporary kitchens appeared all over the place.
The political situation was still uncertain Sunday. If the president does not resign as promised on July 13th, then parliament would have one-month to elect a replacement.
This is a very long time considering the current state of the country. The Speaker of Parliament stated that the new deputy president would be appointed by lawmakers within one week. However, no candidate has won the majority of votes so far.
Officials in Sri Lanka, as well as those abroad, want to see the political crisis addressed as quickly as possible in order for the country to address the economic catastrophe caused in large part, in part, by the loss in tourism revenue after an attack. In 2019, the Covid-19 pandemic will be a major threat to jihadists.
The country that defaulted in April on its debt payments is currently in negotiations.
The Chief of Staff called on calm and assured that it was possible to "resolve the crisis peacefully and constitutionally".
Sunday's address by Antony Blinken, US Secretary Of State, was a call to Parliament for "resolving this situation for the benefit of the country, and not a political party."
Future governments will need to "work quickly to identify the problem and find solutions in order to restore economic stability", he stated, adding that they should respond to "the discontent of people, who are so powerful, and palpable with the deteriorating economic circumstances".
