Sri Lanka crisis Live Updates: Protests continue despite curfew
Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis since gaining independence from Britain in 1948.
![A Sri Lankan man reacts to tear gas as he walks past the vandalized site of anti-government protests outside President's office in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Monday, May 9, 2022. A Sri Lankan man reacts to tear gas as he walks past the vandalized site of anti-government protests outside President's office in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Monday, May 9, 2022.](https://resize.indiatvnews.com/en/resize/newbucket/360_-/2022/05/srilankaviolence-1652149655.jpg)
Sri Lanka News, Sri Lanka Economic Crisis: Defying a nationwide curfew in Sri Lanka, several hundred protesters continued to chant slogans against the government on Tuesday, a day after violent clashes left four dead and prompted the resignation of the prime minister, who is blamed along with his brother, the president, for leading the country into its worst economic crisis in decades. Protesters swarmed the entrance to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s office in the capital, Colombo, for the 32nd day to demand that he follow in his brother’s footsteps and quit. Thousands of protesters have crowded the area outside Rajapaksa’s office for weeks, but the number dropped to hundreds on Tuesday due to a 36-hour curfew imposed after the clashes a day earlier.
Live updates : Sri Lanka Crisis
-
May 10, 2022 7:29 PM (IST) Posted by Poorva Joshi
Sri Lanka's Speaker asks President to reconvene Parliament this week
Sri Lankan Parliament Speaker on Tuesday requested embattled President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to reconvene the House this week to discuss the current situation amid unprecedented violence and widespread protest against the government over the country' worst economic crisis in decades.
-
May 10, 2022 6:59 PM (IST) Posted by Nivedita Dash
Police personnel remove burnt vehicle from street using crane
Authorities were seen clearing damaged vehicles from the streets of Colombo on Tuesday as several hundred people defied a nationwide curfew to protest against Sri Lanka's government.
-
May 10, 2022 6:44 PM (IST) Posted by Nivedita Dash
Rajapaksa urges people to stop "violence and acts of revenge" against fellow citizens
Embattled Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa urged people to stop "violence and acts of revenge" against fellow citizens and vowed to address the political and economic crisis facing the nation, even as the death toll rose to eight in the unprecedented violence that erupted after supporters of former prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa attacked anti-government protesters
-
May 10, 2022 6:36 PM (IST) Posted by Nivedita Dash
Protesters set up checkpoint on road leading to airport
Protesters set up checkpoint on road leading to airport
-
May 10, 2022 1:45 PM (IST) Posted by Abhinav Ranjan
Rajapaksa, family take shelter in naval base: Reports
Sri Lanka's ex-PM Mahinda Rajapaksa and his family have taken shelter at a naval base, according to reports. Meanwhile, a protest was reported near the Trincomalee Navy base where Rajapaksa and his family members are suspected to have taken shelter.
-
May 10, 2022 1:25 PM (IST) Posted by Abhinav Ranjan
Attorney General tells police to investigate into violence in country
Sri Lanka's Attorney General on Tuesday asked the police chief to conduct an urgent and full-fledged investigation into the violent clashes between anti- and pro-government protesters in the country that has killed at least eight people and injured over 200 others. Violence erupted in Sri Lanka on Monday after supporters of former prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa attacked peaceful anti-government protesters demanding his ouster over the country's worst economic crisis that led to acute shortages of staple food, fuel and power. Over 200 people have also been injured in the violence in Colombo and other cities.
-
May 10, 2022 10:01 AM (IST) Posted by Abhinav Ranjan
Colombo Stock Exchange declares Tuesday as market holiday
The Colombo Stock Exchange has declared Tuesday as a market holiday due to settlement difficulties, nearly a month after it remained closed for a week amid the worst economic crisis in Sri Lanka. The decision also came a day after Sri Lanka witnessed unprecedented violence and political crisis following the resignation of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. “The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) has been informed that the Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) system of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka will not be operated today (10th May 2022)," a CSE circular said. "Therefore, the Central Depository System (CDS) of the CSE is unable to complete the fund settlement and the securities settlement falling on 10th May 2022 as per the DVP settlement mechanism," it said. "In the circumstances, the CSE has declared today (10th May 2022) as a market holiday due to the aforesaid operational reasons,” the circular said.
-
May 10, 2022 9:53 AM (IST) Posted by Abhinav Ranjan
Violence against peaceful protestors unacceptable: UK
Tweeting about the deteriorating economic situation in Sri Lanka, the UK embassy in Sri Lanka asked its citizens to avoid any demonstrations or large gatherings. The advisory said the UK's citizens in Sri Lanka should avoid all protests and follow the advice of local authorities. Sarah Hulton, the UK High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, strongly condemned the violence against peaceful protestors. Urging the authorities to safeguard citizens’ rights to protest peacefully, Hulton asked the government to "hold the perpetrators of violence to account". "Violence against peaceful protestors in Sri Lanka is unacceptable. Those responsible for attacks should be held to account," she tweeted.
-
May 10, 2022 8:37 AM (IST) Posted by Abhinav Ranjan
US envoy calls on govt to conduct full investigation
Calling on the Sri Lankan government to conduct a full investigation, US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung, said the government must ensure the "arrest and prosecution of anyone who incited violence". "We condemn the violence against peaceful protestors today, and call on the government to conduct a full investigation, including the arrest and prosecution of anyone who incited violence. Our sympathies are with those injured today and we urge calm and restraint across the island," Chung tweeted.
-
May 10, 2022 8:20 AM (IST) Posted by Abhinav Ranjan
Sri Lanka: Govt MP found dead amid violent protests
Amid the anti-government protests across the islands nation, a government MP was found dead with gunshot injuries after he fled the spot when his vehicle was blocked by the protesters on whom he allegedly opened fire. Unconfirmed reports claimed that the MP -- Amarakeerthi Athukorala -- took his own life while hiding in a building in Nittambuwa town, around 40 km from Colombo. A CCTV footage, which captured the MP running along the pavement with his bodyguard armed with a pistol, went viral on social media. One of the two protesters, who were allegedly shot at by the MP, is in a critical condition.
-
May 10, 2022 8:16 AM (IST) Posted by Abhinav Ranjan
Guterres calls for dialogue to solve Sri Lanka crisis
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres wants Sri Lankans to find a solution through dialogue to the crisis in their country, whose Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned amid violent clashes spurred by an economic crisis, his Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq said on Monday. "We continue to encourage all Sri Lankan stakeholders to find a solution to the current challenges through dialogue and with the interests of the country and the people in mind," Haq said.
-
May 10, 2022 8:15 AM (IST) Posted by Abhinav Ranjan
Sri Lankan Airlines asks passengers to produce tickets, passports to reach airport
Sri Lankan Airlines on Monday urged passengers to produce their air ticket and passport at checkpoints to reach Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) after authorities imposed nationwide curfew and deployed the Army in Colombo following clashes between pro- and anti-government protesters amidst the political turmoil in the island nation. "In view of the prevailing situation in Sri Lanka, passengers departing Colombo can produce their air ticket and passport to the security personnel at checkpoints to reach BIA," SriLankan Airlines, the country's flag carrier, tweeted, assuring travellers, especially foreigners who visit the picturesque island nation.
-
May 10, 2022 8:14 AM (IST) Posted by Abhinav Ranjan
Sri Lanka economic crisis
Sri Lanka is currently in the throes of unprecedented economic turmoil since its independence from Britain in 1948. The crisis is caused in part by a lack of foreign currency, which has meant that the country cannot afford to pay for imports of staple foods and fuel, leading to acute shortages and very high prices. Thousands of demonstrators have hit the streets across Sri Lanka since April 9 seeking the resignation of President Gotabaya and Prime Minister Mahinda, as the government ran out of money for vital imports; prices of essential commodities have skyrocketed and there are acute shortages in fuel, medicines and electricity supply.
-
May 10, 2022 8:13 AM (IST) Posted by Abhinav Ranjan
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigns
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned on Monday, hours after his supporters attacked anti-government protesters outside embattled President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's office, leaving at least 78 people injured and prompting authorities to impose a nationwide curfew and deploy army troops in the capital. At least two Cabinet ministers have also announced their resignations. Prime Minister Mahinda, 76, sent his resignation letter to the President Gotabaya Rajapaksa after violent scenes were witnessed in Colombo.
-
May 10, 2022 8:12 AM (IST) Posted by Abhinav Ranjan
Ruling party MP among 3 killed in Colombo
Three people were killed, including a ruling party MP, and more than 150 injured in violence in the capital. There have been protests over soaring prices and power cuts since last month. Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis since gaining independence from Britain in 1948.
-
May 10, 2022 8:12 AM (IST) Posted by Abhinav Ranjan
Houses of several MPs set on fire
Protesters attacked the house of Badulla District parliamentarian Tissa Kuttiarachch and later set it on fire. The house of Puttalam MP Santha Nishantha was completely destroyed due to an arson attack. The arson attacks came as the island was placed under curfew after violent clashes between Mahinda Rajapaksa supporters and anti-government protesters in Colombo.
-
May 10, 2022 8:11 AM (IST) Posted by Abhinav Ranjan
Properties of ministers, MPs destroyed by protesters
Several properties of ministers and lawmakers of the ruling coalition were destroyed by the protesters. Sri Lankan media also reported that a fire has broke out near the back gate of Temple Trees, the official residence of the Sri Lankan Prime Minister.
-
May 10, 2022 8:03 AM (IST) Posted by Abhinav Ranjan
Armed troops deployed in Colombo
Authorities deployed armed troops in the capital Colombo on Monday hours after government supporters attacked protesters who have been camped outside the offices of the country's president and prime minister.