Sri Lanka crisis: Politicians' homes set afire, shoot-at-sight orders as protests against govt intensify

By Dilip -

Troops and military vehicles have been deployed in the streets of Colombo amid widespread protests against the government over the economic failure of the country. The army said this was done to “ensure public security”, a news report said. On Tuesday, the Sri Lankan Ministry of Defence ordered the Army, the Air Force and the Navy personnel to open fire on anyone looting public property or causing harm to others amidst violent protests in the island nation over the unprecedented economic and political crisis.

The Indian High Commission in Colombo Wednesday dismissed speculative media reports about New Delhi sending its troops to Sri Lanka. It reiterated the Ministry of External Affairs’ stance that India is fully supportive of Sri Lanka’s democracy, stability and economic recovery. Earlier, the Commission denied reports that “certain political persons and their families have fled to India”. “These are fake and blatantly false reports, devoid of any truth or substance. High Commission strongly denies them,” the Indian High Commission in Colombo tweeted.

The resignation of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa had triggered clashes between his supporters and anti-government protesters. Amid reports of Mahinda and his family having fled to the Trincomalee Naval Base, protesters set up checkpoints on the road leading to the Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo to prevent the Rajapaksa family loyalists from fleeing the country....

https://indianexpress.com/article/world/sri-lanka-economic-crisis-live-news-updates-protests-mahinda-rajapaksa-7910728/


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