Sri Lanka riots, deaths: Former PM at naval base for security, army confirms
Protests continue in Sri Lanka against the government's failed efforts to deal with the devastating economic crisis, and security forces have been ordered to shoot the looters as soon as they see them.
The Sri Lankan military has confirmed that Mahinda Rajapaksa, the president's elder brother and two-time president himself, has taken refuge at a naval base in the country's northeast for security reasons.
Despite the nationwide curfew, incendiary attacks continue in various cities, and shops near Colombo and a private resort belonging to the son of former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa have been set on fire.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has addressed the nation for the first time since the protests began a month ago, in which he reiterated his commitment to restore the rule of law.
Ignoring his demand for resignation in the speech, President Rajapaksa offered to give some powers to the parliament and appoint a new prime minister, but did not give a timetable.
Mahinda Rajapaksa, brother of Gotaba Rajapaksa, resigned on Monday after public outrage and protests over fuel and food shortages and is now hiding in a naval base.
At least nine people have been killed and at least 200 injured in unrest since Monday.
It all started when government supporters attacked protesters demanding that the former prime minister's younger brother, President Gotabaya Raja Paksha, resign.
Opposition politicians have warned that violence could be used as an excuse for the military to seize power. The presence of large numbers of troops with armored vehicles on the roads has also fueled rumors of a possible coup.
However, the military has denied the allegations.
Defense Secretary Kamal Gunaratne told a news conference that the military is given the power to deal with a dangerous situation in the country.
"Never think that we are trying to seize power. The army has no such intention.
Protests have been going on for weeks in Sri Lanka due to the dire financial and economic situation. The Sri Lankan rupee has depreciated sharply and there is a severe shortage of basic necessities like food, fuel and medical supplies.
The worst-hit areas were north of the capital, Colombo, on Monday and Tuesday night, where rival groups set fire to shops in the town of Negombo.
On Monday night, mobs torched more than 50 houses of politicians, while a controversial museum dedicated to the Raja Paksha family in their traditional center in the south, Hambantota, was also demolished.
Shops, businesses and offices remained closed for a third day on Wednesday.
The meeting between the leaders of Sri Lankan political parties has now been moved online due to security concerns.
Roads in the capital, Colombo, are witnessing this week's uproar, with heavy police and army presence.
The streets of Colombo bear witness to this week's uproar - the heavy police presence and the army on the streets. Several buses were set on fire in the violence on Monday.
Despite the curfew, protesters continue to gather at Gall Face Green, Colombo's main protest site. He insisted that President Raja Paksha had ruined the economy and that he should be fired.
He is the last member of the Raja Paksha family who is still in government. Earlier, his brother resigned as prime minister.