Colombo, Jul 10 (TIWN): As thousands of protesters stormed Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's residence in Colombo on Saturday demanding his government's resignation amid the ongoing economic crisis, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremmesinghe has summoned an emergency meeting with political party leaders to discuss the situation.

According to the Prime Minister's Office, the premier also has requested the Speaker to summon Parliament in an effort to find a solution to the crisis.

Meanwhile, 16 MPs of President Rajapaksa's Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) party in a letter requested him to resign immediately and make way for a leader who could command the majority in Parliament to lead the country.

They stated that Rajapaksa should give an opportunity to a mature leader without corruption allegations to take over the country.

However, he has not announced anything and his whereabouts are not known.

Social media reports have indicated that a group in 20 VVIP vehicles were heading for the airport, while another group left in two ships belonging to to Sri Lanka Navy.

However who left in them remains unclear.

Religious leaders have also urged the President and Prime Minister to resign immediately and allow the swift passage of power.

Lawyers have emphasized that President Rajapaksas himself has to decide what course of action he should take amidst the mounting public protests against him.

Representing the country's legal fraternity and sitting judges, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) said it calls upon the "President to consider whether he could continue to fulfil his obligations and the powers and duties as the President of Sri Lanka any longer".

They also urged the Prime Minster, Speaker, Cabinet and MPs to immediately ensure that political stability of the nation was secured forthwith and there should be no delay in ensuring such transition.

"We call upon the police and the armed forces to ensure that no further harm is caused to the people who are engaged in the protest," the BASL said.