Sri Lanka
Protesters found damaging public properties could be shot at, Sri Lanka govt warns
Colombo/IBNS: Sri Lanka on Tuesday said those found damaging public property or harming others could be shot at, a day after violent clashes left seven people dead and more than 200 injured, which also prompted Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa to resign.
As the island nation is battling its worst economic crisis, thousands of protesters had defied curfew to attack government figures, setting ablaze homes, shops and businesses belonging to ruling party lawmakers and provincial politicians.
The situation calmed a bit on Tuesday. However, the authorities have decided to extend the island-wide curfew until 7:00 am Wednesday.
The government under President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has outlined broad powers for the military and police, who can detain and question people without arrest warrants.
The president had already declared a state of emergency on Friday as protests escalated.
The military can detain people for up to 24 hours before handing them over to police, while the private property can be searched by force, including private vehicles, the government announced in a gazette notification on Tuesday.
Some experts expressed concern over the potential for abuse of the emergency measures.
Sporadic protests were held even on Tuesday in front of Sri Lanka's Trincomalee Naval Base headquarters after reports surfaced of former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and family members being in the base owing to security reasons.
Rajapaksa left his official residence, Temple Trees, after resigning from his premiership a day earlier.
He was rescued in an early morning military operation, following his resignation. Most of his belongings were transported a day earlier.
On Monday, violent clashes erupted between pro and anti-government demonstrators resulting in seven deaths and 220 injured.
Several attempts by protesters to break into Temple Trees on Tuesday night were prevented by the army.
Meanwhile, Attorney General Sanjaya Rajaratnam has advised the Inspector General of Police C.D Wickremaratne to implement a full investigation into the attack on the protesters at Galle Face Green, the famous leisure ground in Colombo.
Considering the local and international ramifications, he said, the investigation should be carried out on a priority basis.
Earlier, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa denounced the violence in a tweet and said, “I strongly condemn the violent acts taking place by those inciting and participating, irrespective of political allegiances. Violence won't solve the current problems."
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