In Sri Lanka, shoot a sight order has been issued after protests against the government intensified. Defence Ministry has ordered the tri-forces to open fire on anyone looting public property or causing harm.
The nationwide protests against the government have intensified over the past few days resulting in an increase in incidents of clashes with the security forces deployed at protest sites. Protestors are resorting to burning houses of ministers and MPs. Anti-government protesters also set on fire the official residences of Sri Lanka’s Moratuwa Mayor Saman Lal Fernando and the MPs Sanath Nishantha, Ramesh Pathirana, Mahipala Herath, Thissa Kuttiarachchi and Nimal Lanza.Mahinda Rajapaksa and some of his family members have been shifted to Trincomalee Naval Base, a day after he resigned following violent protests that led to a nationwide curfew. A protest has begun in front of the Trincomalee Naval Base after reports emerged that Mahinda Rajapaksa and some of his family members are present thereafter leaving Temple Trees on Tuesday morning, the Daily Mirror newspaper reported.
Colombo Gazette reported that helicopters were seen leaving the capital city today with VVIPs and some speculated that they were members of the Rajapaksa family.
Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned as Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister yesterday as violent protests broke out and a nationwide curfew was imposed until Wednesday. It was reported that seven people have died with over 200 others injured due to the violent situation in Colombo yesterday and the police have been tasked to conduct an investigation into it.
Mahinda Rajapaksa’s residence in the city of Kurunegala in the north-western province was set on fire yesterday, hours after the leader tendered his resignation to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Today, Speaker of Sri Lanka’s Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena asked President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to reconvene the Parliament and to find a solution to the political instability in the country. Abeywardena said the Parliament must be convened immediately to appoint a new Prime Minister and a cabinet of ministers. He said a meeting of political party leaders is to be held at the parliament complex tomorrow. The speaker last week suspended parliamentary sessions till 17th of May as protesters gathered outside the parliament building calling on legislators to find a solution to the ongoing economic crisis.
