Sri Lankan army ordered to shoot at rioters amid rising violence -

Colombo: Eight people have been killed and more than 250 injured in violence in Sri Lanka over the past two days. The anger among the Sri Lankan people against the government and the Rajapaksa family is intensifying day by day. Its impact has been felt on public property, private industry, and political leaders. The Sri Lankan government has awarded ’emergency powers’ to the defence forces and ordered them to shoot the rioters to prevent rising incidents of violence.

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned on Monday amid growing public discontent over the country’s unprecedented economic crisis. However, even after this resignation, the people’s anger and resentment have not abated and the protesters who have taken to the streets have become more aggressive. On Tuesday, angry mobs torched Prime Minister Rajapaksa’s ‘Temple Trees’ residence. Before the incident, Prime Minister Rajapaksa and his family were reportedly evacuated to a Sri Lankan naval base at the port of Trincomalee.

On receiving this information, protests started even outside the Trincomalee naval base. Protesters have demanded that Rajapaksa be arrested and sent to jail. At the same time, the protesters have begun targeting the residences of the MPs and ministers who are supporters of Rajapaksa. In the last 24 hours, houses and other properties of more than ten leaders from the ruling party have been torched. In several places, clashes have also broken out between anti-government protesters and pro-Rajapaksa supporters. Eight people have been killed and more than 250 injured in these clashes.

The Sri Lankan government has now given ’emergency powers’ to the security forces, as violence continues unabated even after the resignation of Prime Minister Rajapaksa. Accordingly, the security forces have been given the authority to shoot the rioters committing violence and arson. Meanwhile, Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has called on the people to stop the violence and maintain peace. Sources indicated that a special session of the Sri Lankan parliament would be held in the coming days. The country’s attorney general has also ordered an inquiry into the violence.

India provides assistance of $3.5 billion to Sri Lanka

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi has said that India will extend all possible cooperation to restore Sri Lanka’s democracy, stability and economy. Bagchi announced that the assistance provided to Sri Lanka had been raised to $3.5 billion, in line with India’s policy of Neighbourhood First.