Colombo, April 1 : Hundreds of protestors gathered outside Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s private residence in the capital city late on Thursday night, after the island experienced long power cuts further worsening economic conditions. Riot police had to be deployed to control the protesters, they used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowd. Protesters chanted “Gota go home” many were holding posters with anti-government slogans, and demanded that the government step down as it has “mishandled” the nation’s economy. Over the last few weeks, Sri Lanka has seen a severe crisis characterised by acute shortages of food, cooking gas and fuel. Sky rocketing costs have added to public resentment. Sri Lanka’s economy was affected by a long-brewing Balance of Payments problem, which was aggravated due to the pandemic and led to a dollar crunch late last year. The crisis escalated since the start of 2022, hitting Sri Lankans hard. The protests have remained largely peaceful until Thursday night when hundreds of people took their anger to the President’s doorstep. RKM