Sri Lanka Deploys Troops In Capital As Protests, Violence Intensify

Sri Lankan authorities deployed armored vehicles and troops in the streets of the capital on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, two days after pro-government mobs attacked peaceful protesters, triggering a wave of violence across the country, Krishnan Francis reported for the Associated Press (AP).

Photo Insert: Armored trucks with soldiers riding on top rolled into some areas of Colombo.

Security forces have been ordered to shoot those deemed to be participating in the violence, as sporadic acts of arson and vandalism continued despite a strict nationwide curfew that began Monday evening.

Anti-government protesters have been demanding the resignations of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his brother, who stepped down as prime minister this week, over a debt crisis that has nearly bankrupted Sri Lanka and left its people facing severe shortages of fuel, food, and other essentials.

In the past few days, eight people have died and more than 200 have been injured in violent attacks in which mobs set fire to buildings and vehicles. Sri Lanka is nearing bankruptcy and has suspended payments on $7 billion in foreign loans due this year out of $25 billion due by 2026. Its total foreign debt is $51 billion.

Armored trucks with soldiers riding on top rolled into some areas of Colombo. Defying the curfew, some protesters regrouped opposite the president’s office to continue demonstrations that began over three weeks ago.

Police announced over loudspeakers that it is illegal to stay in public places during the curfew. Videos posted on social media showed lines of military trucks moving out of the capital, along with soldiers riding on motorbikes, and setting up checkpoints across the country amid fears that a political vacuum could pave the way for a military takeover.

The Defense Ministry’s top official, Kamal Gunaratne, denied speculation of a military takeover at a news conference held with the country’s army and navy chiefs. “None of our officers has a desire to take over the government. It has never happened in our country and it is not easy to do it here,” Gunaratne said.

President Rajapaksa is a former top army officer and remains the country’s official defense minister. Gunaratne said the army will return to its barracks once the security situation normalizes.

The US State Department expressed concern over the military deployment. Spokesman Ned Price said it was “closely monitoring the deployment of troops, something that is of concern to us.”

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