Former Sri Lanka cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya blasts president Rajapaksa: 'Have dignity to resign'

WITH protests against Sri Lanka's leadership turning stronger each passing day because of a severe economic crisis, the country's former national cricket captain Sanath Jayasuriya joined the calls for president Gotabaya Rajapaksa's resignation.

The 53-year-old former dashing cricketer tweeted on Saturday (9) saying the siege was over and the presidential bastion had fallen and that the president should have the dignity to resign immediately.

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"I always stand with the People of Sri Lanka. And will celebrate victory soon. This should be continue without any violation. The siege is over. Your bastion has fallen. Aragalaya and peoples power has won. Please have the dignity to resign now ! #GoHomeGota," Jayasuriya, who was the player of the series of the 1996 cricket world cup that Sri Lanka had won, tweeted.

He also posted a collage of a few pictures of him standing in solidarity with the protesters and posing for selfies with them.

On Saturday, the world remained witness to unusual scenes in the island-nation where thousands stormed Rajapaksa's official residence in Colombo as the accumulating public anger ran out of patience over the unprecedented economic crisis that has thrown life out of gear.

Rajapaksa fled his official residence in Colombo on Saturday moments before the protesters stormed the compound of his residence.

Meanwhile, prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe convened an urgent meeting with his cabinet minister after the president fled.