‘Open to the public’: Sri Lankans create protest zones in occupied government buildings

“Open to the public” was written in spray paint on the wall outside of the prime minister’s residence in Colombo, Sri Lanka after protesters occupied the building on July 9, 2022. © Facebook - C. Dilshan

On July 9, 2022, thousands of Sri Lankans, exasperated by the country's economic crisis, stormed the residence of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and other places linked to power. The situation is still uncertain in the country, but the movement is ongoing: in the capital, Colombo, protesters have turned several of these symbolic buildings into protest sites where meals and concerts are being organised.

Sri Lanka's presidential palace and prime minister's residence were still occupied by protesters on Monday 11 July. Two days earlier, the country was thrown into turmoil after major protests erupted in the capital Colombo.