Violence and economic crisis in Sri Lanka: Prime Minister resigns

The 76-year-old leader sent his resignation letter to his younger brother and to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, paving the way for a new unity governmentsaid his spokesman Rohan Wewivita.

Thousands of loyalists of the camp of Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his brother, armed with sticks and trunks, on Monday attacked protesters who had camped outside the president’s office since April 9.

Earlier Monday, at Temple Tree, at his residence near the president’s office, Mahinda Rajapaksa promised that safeguard the interest of the people to about 3,000 of his supporters, who entered from the countryside. On the way out, they attacked the tents of demonstrators calling for the departure of the Prime Minister, who burned their banners and placards.

An immediate and indefinite curfew was ordered by the authorities before being extended to the rest of the island.

Police fired tear gas and used water cannons after government supporters broke up the police line to destroy the camps of thousands of anti-government protesters demanding the removal of Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

We condemn the violence perpetrated against peaceful protesters today and call on the government to conduct a thorough investigation, including the arrest and prosecution of anyone inciting violence.said on Twitter, Julie Chung, the United States ambassador calling for calm and restraint on the island.

These clashes left at least 138 injured hospitalized, a hospital spokesman said.

” We strongly condemn the violent acts committed by those who motivate and participate, regardless of their political allegiance. Violence will not solve current problems. “

A lawmaker from Sri Lanka’s ruling party committed suicide on Monday after shooting anti-government protesters in the provinces, police said.

Police said MP Amarakeerthi Athukorala shot two people who intercepted his vehicle and seriously injured them in Nittambuwa, about 50 kilometers from the capital. One of the two victims succumbed to his injuries, police added.

The deputy fled and took refuge in a nearby buildingsaid a police officerAFPFrance Media Agency using the phone, thousands of people surrounded the building and then he ended his life with his revolver.

According to authorities, the army’s riot squad, for the first time, was called in to strengthen the police. Troops have been regularly deployed in recent weeks, but to protect fuel deliveries among other important things.

Earlier on Monday, the Prime Minister urged people who hold back and remember that violence only causes violence.

An unprecedented economic crisis

For months, the island of 22 million people suffered severe shortages of food, fuel and medicine.

This unprecedented crisis, blamed on the COVID-19 pandemic that deprived the country of foreign exchange for the tourism sector, has been exacerbated by a series of bad political decisions, according to economists.

The population has been showing up for weeks accusing the ruling Rajapaksa brothers of initiating the country into this crisis, and demanding their resignation.

Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa tried to reach the scene of the clashes but he was attacked by mobs and he was pushed into a car by his security personnel and chased away.

On Friday, President Rajapaksa declared a state of emergency for the second time in five weeks, giving sweeping powers to the security forces, including allowing them to arrest the suspects and detain them for long periods without supervision. judiciary. It also allows for the deployment of soldiers to maintain order, in support of the police.

The police force, numbering 85,000 men, has tightened security around all representatives of the ruling party.

Labor leader Ravi Kumudesh warned in a statement over the weekend that he would mobilize workers in the public and private sectors to attack the national parliament when it opens its next session on May 17.

All we want is for the president and his family to goHe added.