Sri Lanka on the edge

Hundreds of protesters broke through barriers to occupy the president’s residence and his seaside office in another nearby building on Saturday.

It was not clear if Rajapaksa was inside his residence but footage showed hundreds of people inside the well-fortified house and on the grounds outside, some taking a dip in the garden pool and others in a jubilant mood.

Demonstrators have camped outside the entrance to Rajapaksa's office for the past three months.

The turmoil has led to months of protests, which have nearly dismantled the Rajapaksa political dynasty that has ruled Sri Lanka for most of the past two decades.

At least 34 people, including two police officers, were wounded in scuffles as protesters tried to enter the residence.

A new prime minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, took over in May to help steer the country out of the crisis. Meanwhile, Rajapaksa has held on to power despite growing calls for him to quit.