Colombo: Former Sri Lankan Prime Minister and former mighty Mahinda Rajapaksa is being protected at the Trincomalee naval base, Defense Secretary Kamal Gunaratne said on Wednesday (May 11).
Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned as prime minister on Monday amid unprecedented economic turmoil in the country, hours after his supporters attacked anti-government protesters, prompting authorities to impose a nationwide curfew and deploy army personnel in the capital. inspired to. The attack triggered widespread violence against pro-Rajapaksa politicians.
Here are the major updates from Sri Lanka:
The 76-year-old former president and prime minister are being given security amid nationwide protests over the government’s failure to deal with the worst economic crisis. “He (Mahinda Rajapaksa) was taken to the Trincomalee naval dockyard,” Gunaratne told reporters at an online briefing.
Sri Lankan police on Wednesday summoned former prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa’s chief security officer and recorded his statement over violent clashes between anti-government and pro-government protesters in the country, which left at least eight people dead and over 200 injured. Have become.
Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has urged citizens to reject attempts to incite racial and religious disharmony, as clashes in several regions over the government’s handling of the devastating economic crisis. Eight people have been killed in violent street protests this week that have been ordered to shoot anyone who damages public property or puts their lives at risk.
The resignation of Mahinda Rajapaksa as Prime Minister and the curfew have failed to quell public anger. Sri Lankans blame the Rajapaksa dynasty for the economic slowdown, which has left reserves of only $50 million, stalling most imports and causing severe shortages of food, fuel, medicine and other essentials.
No president has been successfully impeached or removed from office in Sri Lanka. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his brother Mahinda held key government positions when a 26-year civil war ended in 2009 after security forces overpowered militants from the minority Tamil community.
Sri Lankan authorities on Wednesday deployed troops and military vehicles on the streets to ensure public safety in the capital Colombo, amid nationwide protests over the government’s failure to deal with the worst-ever economic crisis.
– meanwhile, Indian High Commission “categorically” denied media reports about New Delhi sending its troops to Colomboo, stating that the country fully supports Sri Lanka’s democracy, stability and economic recovery.
(with inputs from agencies)