Sri Lanka’s government on Tuesday issued orders to “shoot on sight” looters and those involved in violence, in the wake of the country’s deadliest clashes in weeks, which prompted the resignation of the prime minister.
Several hundred demonstrators nevertheless defied the curfew in Colombo, capital of this island of 22 million inhabitants in the grip of a historic economic crisis.
The UN denounced “the escalation of violence” and asked the authorities to start a dialogue with the population, exasperated by months of serious shortages of food, fuel and medicine, who are demanding the departure of the Rajapaksa family. in power. The EU urged all parties to avoid violence.
The Ministry of Defense announced on Tuesday that “security forces have been ordered to shoot on sight anyone who will loot public property or attempt the life” of others. Tens of thousands of soldiers have been deployed on the streets of the country.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said on Tuesday she was “deeply disturbed” after supporters of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa “attacked peaceful protesters in Colombo” on Monday, as well as by “the mob attacks on members of the ruling party that followed”.
Anti-government groups on Tuesday blocked traffic on the main road leading to Colombo airport, to ensure that party members and relatives of the Rajapaksa did not attempt to leave the island, witnesses said.
“People are angry after the attacks on us yesterday. And despite the curfew, we have a lot of volunteers who come to bring us food and water,” said one protester, Chamal Polwattage, adding, “We will not leave until the president (Gotabaya Rajapaksa) will not go away”.
The number two of the national police was slightly injured by the crowd and his vehicle was set on fire near the residence of the prime minister in Colombo, according to the authorities.
Monday’s clashes left eight people dead, including two police officers, and more than 200 injured, police say — the deadliest day since April 19, when a crackdown on an anti-government protest left one dead and more than 24 injured in the center of the country. Dozens of buildings and hundreds of vehicles were set on fire.
Sri Lankan protesters and religious leaders have blamed the prime minister, who resigned, for inciting his supporters to violence.
“Arrest those responsible for instigating violence, regardless of their political position,” ordered his troops Chandana Wickramaratne, the police chief. The latter, like the local human rights commission, announced the opening of an investigation.
” Bad pass “
The country has been rocked for several weeks by daily demonstrations against the Rajapaksa government, after months of shortages marking the most serious economic crisis since independence in 1948.
Authorities announced that the curfew would be lifted on Wednesday morning. Offices, shops and schools remained closed on Tuesday.
The army exfiltrated Mahinda Rajapaksa from his official residence early Tuesday after thousands of protesters forced one of the gates and tried to storm the building where the brother of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had taken refuge with his family.
“My father is safe, he is in a safe place,” his eldest son, Namal Rajapaksa, 35, a trained lawyer, told AFP. He added that his father would remain an MP and intended to play an active role in choosing his successor.
“We will not leave the country,” he insisted, calling the national anger against his family a “bad patch”.
On Monday, in Nittambuwa, about 50 kilometers north of the capital, a ruling party MP, Amarakeerthi Athukorala, killed himself after shooting two anti-government protesters who were blocking his car. One of the victims, aged 27, succumbed to his injuries, and the MP’s bodyguard was found dead.
Two other people were killed during the day, in Weeraketiya (south), where a member of the ruling party fired on demonstrators.
Attempts at talks
The president is still in office, with sweeping powers and command of the security forces. Even with a coalition government, he will be able to appoint and dismiss ministers and judges, and enjoy immunity.
Opposition parties said on Tuesday they had called off coalition talks with the government after the outbreak of violence.
But according to political sources, attempts were still underway to organize an online meeting between the president and all political parties.
For Akhil Bery, of the Asia Society Policy Institute, whatever happens, the next government will have to take “unpopular decisions” to straighten out the economy in ruins.
Any bailout by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), currently under negotiation, would mean “raised taxes and lower government spending, which is a politically toxic combination.”