Wearing a t -shirt with ‘I Need Wifi’ graffiti, Nishang who was 13 years old roaming in the living room of the President’s “Palace”, home for Gotabaya Rajapaksa who fled from Sri Lanka in the early days of Wednesday.
The boy’s parents were among the protesters who had “controlled” the “palace” since then invaded on July 9, the morning after the president slipped into the night.
The weather outside is hot, but the interior offers large BG pauses humming all day, the cooling room with high ceilings and wooden floors.
When Indian Express entered, Gehan Melroy, 30, headed to the beige sofa, where Gotabaya had been relaxed, to watch a flat screen television. With him is another protester, a surfing channel for news about protests outside the residence of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.
But events outside are not very interesting for Nihang. He likes to explore “Palace”. “This place is amazing,” he said.
Men, women, children stand in a long queue, serpentine to enter the “palace”, and volunteers among the protesters managing many people.
While tourists and protesters are allowed to enter the residence and walk up the curved stairs with a red carpet at the entrance, access to a more “premium” area – where the gotabaya lives, eating and holding meetings, the gym where he works, and the pool where he cools – controlled by volunteers.
Calling themselves representatives from Janatha Aragalaya (People’s Struggle), volunteers patrol in these limited areas. In one of the rooms, there is a painting of George Keyt that uses cubism to describe the lives of Sri Lanka women.
Irosh Alphonso, 26 years old who has studied archeological management and heritage and is one of the protesters, calls Keyt as a modern painter who integrates the western style and Sri Lanka. One of the prominent works was Governor Ceylon, Lieutenant General Sir Edward Barnes, in his English uniform jewelry.
The Netherlands built these buildings, and then the British lived in it. In 74 years since independence, people in this country have not been able to enjoy this facility. Only a few were chosen and enjoyed this facility … It’s time to change it … we want ordinary people to come and enjoy these places. But, we do not want to endanger and damage the property … We are very careful to preserve this building, “Alphonso said, pointing to personnel from the Special Police Task Force who stood with volunteers who wore ‘Go Gota Gama’ T-shirt, ribbon hair, arms tires.
On the first day, “said Rajitha Udawala, a professional HR from the Inter student federation, a key to grouping umbrella students to manage protests,” Some people, in the heat at that time, did destroy several objects, but now we take care of them. “
One of the kitchens was completely searched – there was a refrigerator door wide open, and a philips roast, used plates, tissue, open jam jar, detergent powder lying around.
The blue tile pool in the backyard is a special attraction, with a partner and family sitting around it, some with a selfie stick to record their special day for children and grandchildren.
This is not a private property, or the property of certain families such as Rajapaksas … this is the property of people … we must protect it, care for them and then hand it over to the relevant authority, after the leadership of the problem is resolved,” Rajitha said, standing up In the decoration room with a chandelier and handmade drawer.
Anjali volunteer colleague walked with a bread and tea package. Fast food snacks of original chocolate cocout quit and American mineral water bottles and distribution in cartons, because some go to the long brown wooden dining table to eat.
There is also a queue for the bathroom – only a partner who functions with water supply without interruption. Most of the bathrooms attached to the bedroom, where volunteers have spent the last four days, do not have water.
Nadeesha, 32, who tries to manage the queue outside the bathroom, said, “People do not have food, fuel, and electricity … These leaders enjoy the benefits … They make money in the wrong way. This place must be used as a monument history. “
“They have money for tear gas and weapons, not for milk powder and medicine,” he said, staring at the TV screen that showed the police using tear gas outside the Prime Minister’s office.
There was a commotion when the Sri Lanka Air Force helicopter flew over the area – all ran to the terrace to see why it spinning over his head.
In the hall with curved doors, white walls and colorful ceiling, central discussion on one topic: What will be the fate of this residence? There is no clear answer. Some say it must be a “inheritance monument”, others say “library construction”, others maintain it must be used by future state leaders.
Suddenly, Angelo, one of the protesters, came with Megafon and announced that the public announcer Raupavahini had been taken over by the protesters. It was welcomed with cheers from the protesters who relaxed on the sofa.
On the outside yard, the ice cream vendor has prepared a kiosk on a bicycle, selling cones for Sri Lanka RS 80. There are also pineapple sellers, selling 8 slices packages for RS 200. This is the last stop for those who tour the “Palace”.