Stone pelting, water canons & tear gas: Stir in Sri Lanka over economic crisis turns violent

Sri Lankan Army personnel secure the President's private residence during a protest on the outskirts of Colombo on Friday. The agitation comes at a time when the island nation is in the middle of an economic crisis. (Photo: AP)

Protesters run to take cover as police fire tear gas shells to disperse them. (Photo: AP)

Demonstrators throw stones near Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's residence (Photo: Reuters)

Shouting “Go home, Gota go home” the protestors allegedly stoned two army buses that were blocking the entrance to the residence. They also reportedly set fire to a bus and refused to let a fire truck pass through. (Reuters Photo)

Five policemen were injured during the protest. (Reuters Photo)

Streets in the capital were quiet on Friday morning. Police combed through the wreckage of two burnt-out buses near Rajapaksa's home. (Reuters Photo)

The police dispersed the demonstrators using water cannons. (Reuters Photo)

Sri Lanka is facing power cuts lasting up to 13 hours per day amid a dwindling supply of fuel. The island nation with huge debt obligations and low foreign reserves is struggling to pay for imports. (AP Photo)

Sri Lankans carry a wounded protester following the demonstrations, on Friday. While five policemen have been injured, AP reported that at least one protester was also hurt during the protest.

The police said that 54 people were arrested following the unrest. (AP Photo)