Sri Lanka’s top defense official on Wednesday rescinded a military coup, despite the country’s political stalemate and the deployment of thousands of troops to maintain order after two days of deadly encounter.
A curfew is in effect nationwide and troops patrol the streets with instructions to shoot in sight anyone who attacks property or commits acts of violence.
Armored vehicles loaded with soldiers circled the streets of the capital Colombo and raised fears of an impending coup, which was shared on social networks.
When there is a dangerous situation in the country, the military is empowered to resolve itKamal Gunaratne, the secretary of Sri Lanka’s defense ministry, told reporters on Wednesday.
” Never think we are trying to take over. The military has no such intention. “
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who remained in office, enjoys extensive power and leadership of the security forces.
Violence is provoked [par les autorités] to establish a military regimehad previously criticized opposition leader Sajith Premadasa on Twitter, and claimed that Right wing state ay maintained by the constitution and not by the ARMS.
Mr. Gunaratne, one of the main successful commanders in 2009 of the separatist rebels, the Tamil Tigers, explained that he had asked the military to step in to strengthen the police because of precarious situation.
The island’s population is overwhelmed by months of severe shortages of food, fuel, medicine and power outages. A few weeks ago, peaceful protests called for the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
On Monday, government supporters, sent from the provinces to the capital Colombo and retaliated against by his brother, resigned Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, burned the powder by attacking demonstrators.
Kamal Gunaratne said the former prime minister, who was evacuated on Tuesday by the army from his besieged official residence, was taken to a sea base in Trincomalee (northeast), where he was still there on Wednesday.
We will keep him as long as he wants.he said. But I hope he can leave Trincomalee base in a few days..
President Rajapaksa has been confined to his tightly guarded official residence as thousands have protested outside his office on the beach since April 9 demanding his resignation.
In 1962, a coup d’etat, initiated by some colonels against the then Prime Minister Sirima Bandaranaike, was won without a single shot.
Source: Radio-Canada
