Massive protests erupt in Sri Lanka, people demands resignation of Rajapaksa 

The protest was witnessed in Colombo where hundreds of people gathered to vent their ire against the rising economic crisis. Protesters were gathered outside the residence of President Rajapaksha, demanded his resignation. 

24x7liveindia
Apr 01, 2022 05:24
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Massive protests erupt in Sri Lanka, people demands resignation of Rajapaksa 

Colombo: With the island nation Sri Lanka facing severe economic crises, the people appear to be losing their patience, which they have been showing through protests.

The protest was witnessed in Colombo where hundreds of people gathered to vent their ire against the rising economic crisis. Protesters were gathered outside the residence of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, demanded his resignation. 

Demanding the resignation of the president, the people gathered outside his house. The police had to use force to control the mob.

Meanwhile,  the police officials said that they have arrested around 45 people for holding a protest. Some five police staff got injured in the incident. Police vehicles were torched during the protest. The government however claimed that the protest was called by an extremist group.

Police said that 45 people have been arrested for their alleged involvement in yesterday's protests outside the President's residence.

"Five policemen were injured while several vehicles were set on fire by the protesters," officials said, adding that the injured have been admitted to the hospital for treatment.

The curfew was imposed within the Colombo North, South, Colombo Central, Nugegoda, Mount Lavinia and Kelaniya Police Divisions.

The country is facing a severe shortage of food and other essential commodities such as fuel. The country is passing through its worst economic crisis.

The reports said that the country has nearly run out of diesel which caused a massive blackout as there was no electricity. Not just residential areas, even the hospitals are facing heat as they could not perform operations because of the blackout.

The acute shortage of electricity hit mobile phone base stations and affected the quality of calls. The Colombo Stock Exchange had to limit trading by half to two hours, and offices asked non-essential staff to stay home.

In order to save power, the government has ordered all street lights, the reports said.

By Thursday evening, the people started gathering on the road near the house of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, demanding  his resignation. 

The President's elder brother Mahinda Rajapaksa serves as prime minister while the youngest, Basil Rajapaksa, holds the finance portfolio. The eldest brother Chamal Rajapaksa is agriculture minister while nephew Namal Rajapaksa holds the cabinet post for sports.

Visuals from the spot showed the mob encircling two policemen on bikes. The slogan shouting was punctuated by sounds of shattering glass and crashing stones. A police bus was set on fire.

 Rajapaksa was not at home during the protests, the reports said.

The current crisis has its roots in the Lankan government's move to ban imports back in March 2020. The move was meant to save foreign currency for the government's $51 billion debt. But this led to a widespread shortage of essential items and skyrocketing prices.

The government has said it is seeking a bailout from the International Monetary Fund. It has also sought loans from India and China.