Sri Lanka: Government orders army to shoot those involved in looting or violence

The Sri Lankan Ministry of Defense today ordered the country’s army to fire on those involved in looting or violence, a day after anti-government protesters attacked the homes of ruling party officials.

“Security forces have been instructed to shoot anyone they see looting public property or endangering the lives of others,” the ministry said.

Thousands of troops and police have been deployed in Sri Lanka to ensure that the curfew is met, a day after bloody clashes between Mahidah Rajapaksa supporters and anti-government protesters.

Police said today that eight people, including two police officers, were killed during the violent incidents last night. Also, 65 residential buildings were damaged, of which 41 were set on fire and 88 cars and buses were destroyed and hundreds of two-wheelers were damaged, according to police.

Sri Lanka has been in a state of emergency since Friday, and the military has been given expanded powers to apprehend suspects.

The country of 22 million people has been facing protests for several weeks demanding the resignation of the Rajapaksas following severe shortages of food, fuel and medicine, the deepest political and economic crisis the country has experienced since independence in 1948.

According to the capital’s central hospital, 219 people were injured in the violent incidents last night and are being treated. Six other people were injured in other incidents.

This afternoon, the Colombo police chief was attacked and his vehicle set on fire by an angry mob accusing him of failing to protect yesterday’s peaceful demonstrations.

Earlier in the day, the UN denounced the escalation of violence in the country and called on the country’s authorities to prevent new outbreaks of violence and to start a dialogue with the people.

SOURCE: ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ