On the night of Friday, soldiers went into action against a protest camp in Sri Lanka’s capital, Colombo. It has provoked strong reactions in several countries.
Less than 20 minutes ago
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Sri Lanka has been characterized by an economic crisis, and the unrest escalated further then Ranil Wickremeshinge was elected as the new president Wednesday.
Soldiers from the Sri Lankan security forces moved against the protesters overnight Friday local time, and against their camp outside the president’s office in Colombo.
–Today there have been demonstrations in several countries as a result. In India’s capital, New Delhi, several members of the student organization Krantikari Yuva Sangathan (KYS) have been arrested by the police.
It is said to have happened while the students were demonstrating against the storming in Colombo. In addition, they were going to the UN offices in India to deliver a letter in solidarity with the Sri Lankan people, according to Reuters.
–Demands that Singapore arrest former President Rajapaksa
The Tamil Guardian writes that it There have been demonstrations in several other countries also, among others in Malaysia.
Protesters gathered outside Singapore’s embassy demanding the arrest and prosecution of former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa for genocide, according to the Tamil Guardian.
–The last two decades it is The Rajapaksa family who has governed politics in the country, also during the civil war in Sri Lanka, writes The New York Times. Several Sri Lankans claim that the Rajapaksa family is to blame for the problems facing the country.
Earlier in July escaped then president Rajapaksa from Sri Lanka to Singapore.
–In Malaysia, a letter is said to have been delivered to Singapore’s High Commissioner in Malaysia, in which Tamil Malaysians are said to have expressed their displeasure at Rajapaksa being allowed to stay in Singapore, reports Tamil Guardian.
According to the Tamil Guardian, there have been similar trials in Great Britain, France and Germany.
Soldiers reportedly attacked BBC journalist
At least 50 protesters were injured in the clashes, including journalists who were beaten by security forces. Two people must be admitted to hospital, according to Reuters.
The BBC writes that the soldiers storming the protest camp became aggressive when the protesters showed resistance.
–The protesters are said to have been pushed away from the area they had besieged, but when two BBC journalists went back to document what was happening, they are said to have been met with violence.
– A man hit my colleague and took his phone. We tried to explain that we were journalists doing our job, but they continued to be violent, says one BBC journalist.
–They say that their microphone was thrown away and that the soldiers deleted the videos they had filmed.
Buddhika Abeyrathne (34), a protester who witnessed the storming has told Reuters that the protesters are said to have been brutally beaten.
– Wickremesinghe does not know what democracy is.
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