The island state has plunged into its worst economic crisis since independence. On Monday, two people were killed and at least 139 injured in a clash between supporters and opponents of the government in Colombo.
9.5. 16:12 • Updated May 9th. 16:42
The Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa, 76, will resign, his spokesman said Monday. According to the representative, Rajapaksa said in his letter of resignation that he would resign so that a new “unity government” could be formed in the country.
More than 150 people were injured and three were killed on Monday when supporters and opponents of the government clashed violently in the country’s capital, Colombo. For the second month in a row, supporters of the regime, who had been armed with sticks and rackets, attacked protesters who had stayed at the presidential office, a reporter for the on-site news agency AFP said. Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowd.
In a special incident near Colombo, authorities said two people were killed, one of them by a ruling party MP. The MP shot and seriously wounded two people who had tried to stop him from continuing his journey in his car. One of them later died of his injuries. According to police, the MP later shot himself in a nearby building where he was surrounded by protesters.
The U.S. ambassador to Sri Lanka condemned the attacks on peaceful protesters and urged authorities to immediately begin an investigation into the events.
Emergency laws were introduced
The Sri Lankan administration passed a series of emergency laws on Friday that, among other things, give the military broad powers to arrest people. The unions had previously declared a general strike in the country to put pressure on the regime to resign.
Sri Lanka has plunged into its worst economic crisis since independence. Among other things, the country suffering from record inflation has stated that it will not be able to pay its debts. Due to the currency crisis, the country is short of everything because there are hardly any imports.