Police said on Monday a nationwide curfew had been imposed after clashes broke out between supporters of the ruling party and anti-government protesters in the capital. Colombo. The restrictions were announced shortly before Rajapaksa announced his resignation.
According to the national police, anti-government protesters attacked a bus carrying local officials to Colombo on Monday morning to attend a meeting with the Prime Minister.
At least 151 people have been hospitalized following violence at the protests, said Colombo National Hospital. Armed squadrons have been deployed in Colombo, according to CNN’s team.
Rajapaksa’s office announced the resignation of the 76-year-old veteran politician, Reuters reported.
“Shortly ago, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa sent a letter of resignation to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa,” the statement read.
In the letter, a copy of which was seen by Reuters, the prime minister said he would step down to help form a unified interim government.
“Many stakeholders have indicated that the best solution to the current crisis is the formation of a full-party provisional government,” the letter read.
“So I have submitted my resignation so that the next steps can be taken in accordance with the Constitution.”
His departure comes during a day of chaos and violence that culminated in police imposing a nationwide curfew.
The confrontation began with hundreds of ruling party supporters gathering outside the prime minister’s official residence before marching to an anti-government protest site outside the presidential office.
According to a Reuters witness, police lined up first on the main road leading to the site but failed to stop pro-government protesters from advancing.
Government supporters, some armed with bars, attacked anti-government protesters in the tent village of “Gota Go Gama” that flared up last month and became the focus of protests. nationwide.
Police used tear gas and water cannons to break up the confrontation, the first major clash between supporters and anti-government protesters since protests began in late March.
“This is a peaceful protest,” Pasindu Senanayaka, an anti-government protester, told Reuters. “They attacked Gota Go Gama and burned our tents.”
“We are helpless now, we are begging for help,” Senanayaka said, as black smoke billowed from a burning tent nearby and parts of the protest camp lay scattered.
Dozens of paramilitary troops with riot shields and helmets were deployed to keep both groups separate after initial clashes. The military said it has also deployed troops in the area.
“Strongly condemn the acts of violence taking place by those instigating & participating, regardless of political allegiance,” President Rajapaksa said in a tweet. “Violence will not solve the current problems.”
Finance Minister Ali Sabry said last week that hit hard by the pandemic, rising oil prices and tax cuts, Sri Lanka has at least $50 million in usable foreign exchange reserves.
The government has approached the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a bailout and will begin a virtual summit on Monday with IMF officials to secure emergency assistance.
In the face of escalating anti-government protests, Rajapaksa’s government last week declared a state of emergency for the second time in five weeks, but public discontent is still waning.
Long lines for gas cooking in recent days have frequently turned into impromptu protests as angry consumers blocked the road. Domestic energy companies say they are running out of reserves of liquefied petroleum gas, which is mainly used for cooking.
Sri Lanka needs at least 40,000 tonnes of gas per month and the monthly import bill would be $40 million at current prices.
“We are a bankrupt country,” said WHK Wegapitiya, Chairman of Laugfs Gas, one of the country’s two main gas suppliers.
“The banks don’t have enough dollars for us to open a line of credit and we can’t go to the black market. We’re struggling to stay in business.”
