Violence abates, protestors want new Lanka Govt |
Protesters in Sri Lanka, which is suffering from its worst economic crisis in history, have called for a new government to take control of the country, while the president urged calm a day after the island nation witnessed its bloodiest clashes that claimed eight lives and also prompted his brother – Mahinda Rajapaksa – to quit as prime minister. Anti-govt protests over the shortage of fuel and other essential items have continued across the country for nearly a month. India has so far provided assistance of more than $3.5 billion to Sri Lanka, as the country began much-delayed talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a rescue package and also sought help from China. Sri Lankan authorities issued shoot-on-sight orders on Tuesday to quell unrest that has seen buildings and vehicles set ablaze a day after the island was rocked by deadly violence and rioting. With thousands of security forces a curfew, the defence ministry said troops have been ordered to shoot on sight anyone looting public property or causing harm to life. The Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka has refuted as fake and blatantly false, local social media speculation that former prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and his family members have fled to India.
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