Violent demonstrations in Sri Lanka – thousands demand the removal of the president – VG

Violent demonstrations in Sri Lanka – thousands demand the removal of the president – VG

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Tear gas: A person drops water in his face after police used tear gas against protesters in Colombo on Saturday.

Protesters in Colombo on Saturday were met with tear gas and water cannons as they took to the streets for the 50th consecutive day.

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Sri Lanka is on the verge of bankruptcy, facing its worst economic crisis since independence from Britain in 1948.

Gate bans, rising food prices, and strong protests have rocked the country in recent weeks.

On Saturday, thousands of Sri Lankans took to the streets again, to celebrate the 50th consecutive day of protests. Many gathered outside President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s office, with many also camping in recent weeks.

Writes AP.

Riot police stormed Friday’s rally and drove hundreds of protesters out in trucks. They initially arrested three people, and later released them.

The demonstrators are demanding the resignation of the President of the Republic as a result of the country’s economic crisis.

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Protest: A demonstrator raises the Sri Lankan flag during Saturday’s protests against the incumbent president.

She owns $51 billion

Sri Lanka is highly dependent on imports to meet its basic commodity needs. The severe shortage of foreign exchange means that the country can no longer pay for food, fuel and other imported goods.

According to the Associated Press, people must wait in line for an hour to buy merchandise — and still go home empty-handed. The country’s foreign exchange reserves have fallen to the point where it is enough to purchase only necessary imported goods for two weeks.

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At present, the total external debt of the island nation is $51 billion.

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Sri Lanka unrest: Five dead, 189 injured in violent riots

At least five people were killed and 189 injured in violent clashes in Sri Lanka.

One family controlled large parts of the government

On Monday May 9, demonstrations broke out across the country. Rajapaksa supporters attacked the peaceful protesters, in what developed into violent violence.

Nine people were killed and a number of ministers burned their homes.

The country’s former prime minister, Mahinda Rajapaksa, resigned on the same day. He is the brother of the current President of the country – Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The news of his passing did not stop the riots – on the contrary.

Black Nuns: Catholic nuns also participated in the Shabbat demonstration. And here they are marching with black flags to demand the resignation of President Rajapaksa.

Resentment of the authorities, especially the Rajapaksa family, is very high. In addition to controlling the presidency and prime minister, the Rajapaksa family also assumed control of the finance, sports and agriculture ministers.

The new prime minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, said that a new economic reform plan would be presented within the next two weeks. It will be sent to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for approval, writes ap.

Jabori Obasanjo

Jabori Obasanjo

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