Violent protests rock Sri Lanka as economic crisis deepens

A day after Mahinda Rajapaksa submitted his resignation to President Gotabaya Rajapaksha, violent clashes and protests have rocked Sri Lanka. Clashes between pro-government and anti-government forces have prompted authorities to deploy armed troops in the capital, Colombo. (AP)

In another development, the country's armed forces were ordered on Tuesday to shoot at any persons damaging public property or threatening lives, Defence Ministry spokesman Nalin Herath said. (AP)

Defying a nationwide curfew in Sri Lanka, several hundred protesters continued to chant slogans against the government Tuesday, a day after violent clashes saw the resignation of the prime minister who is blamed, along with his brother, the president, for leading the country into its worst economic crisis in decades. (AP)

Violence erupted on Monday in front of the Rajapaksas’ offices as government supporters hit protesters with wooden and iron poles. Authorities swiftly deployed armed troops in many parts of the country and imposed a curfew until Wednesday. (AP)

The violence by government supporters triggered immediate anger and chaos, and people started attacking ruling party politicians. More than a dozen houses belonging to ruling party leaders were vandalized and set ablaze, news agency AP reported. (AP)

The violence has left eight people dead and injured at least 200 people. A ruling party lawmaker also died in the violence. MP Amarakeerthi Athukorala opened fire and critically injured two people who were trying to block his car. Later, Athukorala was found dead trying to escape and take refuge in a nearby building, news agency AFP reported. (AP)

Sri Lanka is witnessing an unprecedented economic turmoil with its government running out of money for essential imports like staple foods and fuel. (AP)

Protesting against the government, thousands of people have taken to the streets across the nation since April 9 demanding resignation of both the President and the Prime Minister. (AP)

Sri Lankan anti-government protesters mend a tent at the ongoing protest site a day after it was attacked by government supporters in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, May 10, 2022. (AP)

A Sri Lankan man walks past burnt vehicles a day after clashes between government supporters and anti-government protesters in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, May 10, 2022. (AP)