Sri Lanka Military Raid Anti-government Protest Camp

Sri Lanka has seen months of mass unrest over an economic crisis, and many blame the former government for mishandling the nation’s finances
Protests had remained peaceful after Wickremesinghe had been sworn into office on Wednesday

EDITOR’S PICK

EKO HOT BLOG reports that security forces in Sri Lanka raided the main anti-government protest camp in the capital early on Friday, arresting protesters and dismantling tents.

Hundreds of troops and police commandos moved on the protesters outside the presidential offices in Colombo, hours before they were due to leave the area.

A BBC video journalist was beaten by the army and one soldier snatched his phone and deleted videos.

Nine people, including two who are injured, have been arrested by police.

It comes as Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as president, after ex-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country last week.

Wickremesinghe – the former prime minister – is seen as deeply unpopular with the public, and has vowed tough action against demonstrators.

Sri Lanka has seen months of mass unrest over an economic crisis, and many blame the former government for mishandling the nation’s finances.

Protests had remained peaceful after Wickremesinghe had been sworn into office on Wednesday. Despite deep distrust, many demonstrators had said they would give him a chance to lead the country out of its economic crisis.

In remarks after his inauguration, he said any attempt to topple the government or occupy government buildings was not “not democracy, it is against the law”.

FURTHER READING

On Friday morning, security forces moved in on the protest camp and reclaimed the building from demonstrators, who had earlier pledged to hand the building back.

Click to watch our video of the week

Yinka Akanbi

Yinka is an aesthete and a cosmopolite.