While calling for a full investigation into the attacks on peaceful protestors in Colombo, the US State Department has expressed its concern over the deployment of the military in Sri Lanka.
“Well, we’re concerned by the deployment of the military. We underscore, we stress that peaceful protesters should never be subject to violence or intimidation, whether that’s on the part of a military force or civilian unit,” US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said on Tuesday at the daily press briefing.
“More broadly, we’re deeply concerned by reports of escalating violence in Sri Lanka over the past few days. We condemn, as I said before, violence against peaceful protesters. We call for a full investigation, arrests, and prosecution of anyone instigating and involved in acts of violence. We are, as I said before, also closely monitoring the deployment of troops, something that is of concern to us, and we’re also closely following political developments and the situation on the ground in Sri Lanka after the resignation of the prime minister,” he said.
“We urge the government and political leaders to work quickly to ensure public safety and work together to identify and implement solutions to achieve long-term economic and political stability in Sri Lanka. The government must address the Sri Lankan people’s discontent over the economic crisis, including power, food, and medicine shortages, as well as their concerns about the political future of their country,” the spokesman added.
AL JAZEERA AND NEWS AGENCIES
Sri Lanka issues ‘shoot-on-sight’ order to quell unrest
The government authorises military and police to arrest people without warrants a day after the deadly violence and the PM’s resignation.
A protest has broken out, outside the Trincomalee Naval Base as reports have said that former prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and some of his family members have sought refuge there after the violent clashes which erupted yesterday.
A group of protestors has started a protest outside the Navy Camp demanding the former prime minister and his family be held accountable for the crisis and arrested.
Mahinda Rajapaksa left Temple Trees today morning after security forces cleared the protestors who had been protesting for hours against him and the government.
