Violence erupted in Sri Lanka on Monday after supporters of Mahinda Rajapaksa attacked the peaceful protestors. The former PM is facing calls for arrest as the opposition accused him of inciting violence.
Deaths. Arson. Nationwide curfew. Sri Lanka has witnessed unprecedented violence over the past two days as the protest over the country’s economic crisis continues. Mahinda Rajapaksa, who resigned as Sri Lankan Prime Minister on Monday, is facing calls for arrest for inciting violence that claimed at least eight lives.
The supporters of Mahinda Rajapaksa attacked the anti-government protesters demanding his ouster over Sri Lanka’s worst economic crisis that has led to acute shortages of food, fuel and medicines and prolonged power cuts.
Mahinda Rajapaksa finally quit from his post on Monday, but violence erupted in the island nation soon after his resignation.
#EXCLUSIVE | Statue of #MahindaRajapaksa's father taken down; reports say ex-PM flees island nation #SriLanka. #7at7 with @PreetiChoudhry pic.twitter.com/UVKWr2GZ2D
— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) May 10, 2022
The Sri Lankan defense ministry has announced shoot-on-sight orders to quell riots, as per a report by AFP.
Here’s all that has happened in crisis-hit Sri Lanka:
PM Rajapaksa resigns, Sri Lanka imposes nationwide curfew
Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned on Monday following unprecedented anti-government protests demanding his ouster as well as the administration led by his younger brother and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa over the country’s worst economic crisis.
Mahinda’s resignation came hours after his supporters attacked anti-government protesters outside President Gotabaya’s office, leaving around 173 people injured and triggering widespread violence against pro-Rajapaksa politicians. At least four people, including a ruling party MP, were killed in the subsequent violence.
After Rajapaksa’s resignation, violence erupted across the nation. Monday’s violence triggered widespread anger, with people singling out Rajapaksa supporters and attacking them in many parts of the country.
