In Sri Lanka, explosive situation between security forces and demonstrators
Sri Lankan army soldiers guard a checkpoint outside the Prime Minister's residence a day after clashes between government supporters and anti-government protesters in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, May 10, 2022. AP - Eranga Jayawardena
Text by: RFI Follow
3 mins
The Ministry of Defense ordered its troops on Tuesday, May 10 to shoot on sight those involved in looting.
For their part, the demonstrators denounce orchestrated violence and still demand the departure of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, more hated than ever.
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Monday, May 9 was the
worst day of violence
since the start of the political crisis that has shaken Sri Lanka.
According to the police, eight people, including two policemen, were killed and 65 residential buildings were damaged or burned.
According to the main hospital in the capital, 219 people were injured.
"
Supporters of President Gotabaya
Rajapaksa were sent to confront the citizens gathered peacefully in front of the presidential palace
", testifies for RFI
Malith Gayan, who has been participating in the protests for several weeks.
“
The police allowed these attacks to take place and that is why some let their anger explode and the situation degenerated.
»
Supporters of Gov coming without any resistance from police.
And protesters pleading to use water cannon and tear gas to stop them.
But no action taken.
පොහොට්ටු මැරයෝ පොලිසියේ කිසිම අවහිරයකින් තොරව පහර දීමට ආකාරය #gotagogama pic.twitter.com/lri6qiytzv
— The Citizen (@TheCitizen1) May 9, 2022
Order to shoot on sight
On Tuesday, the Sri Lankan government deployed tens of thousands of military personnel – army, navy and air force – to patrol the streets.
"
Security forces have been ordered to shoot on sight anyone who will loot public property or attempt the life
" of others, the defense ministry said.
In addition to the state of emergency decided on Friday, which gives expanded powers to the military to arrest suspects, the government has also decreed a two-day curfew, following Monday's clashes.
Despite these announcements, Colombo's police chief was assaulted and his vehicle set on fire by an angry mob accusing him of failing to protect peaceful protesters on Monday.
Brother of the president, Prime Minister
Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned on Monday
.
Soldiers transported him by helicopter to the Trinquemalay naval base in the northeast of the country.
He would now be on the run.
"
I think the population would like to keep him in the country, but they have no way of preventing him from leaving and facing the military in this very defended area
", explains activist Prasad Welikumbura at the microphone of
Jelena Tomic
, journalist at the international service of RFI.
“The vast majority of the military are on the side of the people, but not the high-ranking officers who support the Rajapaksa family.
»
The European Union urged all parties to refrain from resorting to violence.
But the situation remains extremely tense on the ground.
"
Fortunately the security forces have not yet used weapons
," says Malith Gayan, in Colombo.
“
Tents have been burned by Rajapaksa supporters, but the rally in front of the presidential palace continues.
»
A volatile situation
The opposition calls for calm, but continues to refuse Gotabaya Rajapaksa's proposal for a government of national unity.
“
I urge all protesters to remain peaceful and not to retaliate against rioters who want to make protests violent to discredit them
,” tweeted Eran Wickramaratne, former finance minister.
“
We must strive to arrive together at democratic solutions.
»
I urge all protestors to remain peaceful and not retaliate to mobs nor allow them to turn violent protests to advance their agenda.
We must strive to arrive at democratic solutions together.
#LKA #SriLankaCrisis #GoHomeRajapakshas #GoHomeGota
— Eran Wickramaratne (@EranWick) May 9, 2022
The demonstrators demand more than ever the departure of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, held responsible for the worst crisis in the country since its independence and now for the violence which has set the Indian Ocean island ablaze.
“
He has no intention of resigning, because when he leaves power, he is no longer protected
,” Judge Prasad Welikumbura, who is worried about the future.
“
People were already angry because of the economic situation, now the situation can escalate at any moment.
»
► To read also: Sri Lanka: the inhabitants of the island increasingly exhausted by the crisis
(
And with
AFP)
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Sri Lanka
Mahinda Rajapakse
Gotabaya Rajapaksa
Economic crisis