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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Hannah Ellis-Petersen South Asia correspondent

Occupy Temple Trees: Sri Lankans revel in overrun presidential palace

People occupy the garden and grounds of Temple Trees.
The grounds of Temple Trees, now occupied by ordinary Sri Lankans who are serving free hot meals. Photograph: Akila Jayawardana/NurPhoto/REX/Shutterstock

It was once the palatial colonial-era home frequented only by Sri Lanka’s political elite. But by Sunday morning, Temple Trees, the formal residence of the country’s prime minister, was “open to the public”, according to a large sign graffitied at the entrance.

In the aftermath of the dramatic events of Saturday, when tens of thousands of anti-government protesters stormed the state residences of the president, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, and prime minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, Temple Trees was among the political properties now defiantly occupied by ordinary Sri Lankans.

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