Mfat issues Sri Lanka warning
Fast developments
WELLINGTON: New Zealanders are being urged to avoid nonessential travel to Sri Lanka as the country’s crisis deepens.
On Tuesday, the Sri Lankan government ordered troops to open fire on anyone looting and deployed the armed forces to patrol the streets as antigovernment protests continue.
It comes after months of protests over the country’s economic crisis which has left people unable to get hold of essential food and fuel.
In New Zealand those with links to Sri Lanka are watching on nervously at where the country is headed next.
Athula Wanasinghe, who moved to New Zealand from Sri Lanka 25 years ago, returned from a visit to Sri Lanka on Tuesday just as violent clashes broke out at protest sites.
People were desperate and incredibly frustrated at government mismanagement which had led to power cuts, strikes, shortages of almost all goods, and constant queues to get the few items available, he said.
‘‘Milk powder being sold on the basis of teaspoons. So you can imagine, the grocer opens up a packet and sells it teaspoon by teaspoon to the people.’’
Mr Wanasinghe travelled to Sri Lanka because his mother was unwell, but her surgery was cancelled due to power cuts, strikes by medical workers and lack of medical supplies.
In Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned as prime minister but demonstrators want his brother, the president, Gotabaya Rajapaksa to go as well.
Sanjana Hattotuwa, who has been in New Zealand since 2018, said all of the people he was in touch with in Sri Lanka were clear they wanted the Rajapaksa family, which holds many key political roles, to stand aside.
‘‘It is a very simple thing. These are the architects of our country’s cataclysmic failure. It’s not hyperbole. They have literally bankrupted the country.’’
Mr Hattotuwa said the violence in recent days was sparked by proRajapaksa mobs brutally attacking people who had been peacefully protesting.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta tweeted that New Zealand condemned the violence directed at peaceful protesters.
There are 68 New Zealanders registered as being in Sri Lanka.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade updated its advice yesterday, and warned people to avoid any nonessential travel to Sri Lanka.
It recommended that any New Zealanders there avoid protests, rallies and large crowds as such gatherings could turn violent with little warning. — RNZ
COLOMBO: Protesters and a key trade group in Sri Lanka called for a new government to take control of the crisishit country yesterday while the president asked for calm following clashes that claimed eight lives and prompted his brother to quit as prime minister.
Sri Lanka has been suffering its worst economic crisis in history, with a severe shortage of foreign exchange stalling essential imports, including pharmaceuticals and fuel.
For months, its tottering economy has been largely supported by India, which has provided assistance worth more than $NZ5.5 billion as the country began muchdelayed talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a rescue package, as well as seeking help from China.
China and India have long jostled for influence over Sri Lanka, a strategically located island situated off the southern tip of India with a population of 22 million people.
The public’s patience ran out on Monday after ruling party supporters attacked an antigovernment protesters’ camp in Colombo, triggering clashes in which eight people died and more than 200 were injured.
Some supporters were armed with iron bars when they stormed the camp, beating them and setting fire to tents.
Country of 22 million facing worst economic crisis in history.
Military, police free to detain people without arrest warrants.
More than 200 injured in clashes that prompted PM’s resignation.
Police fired water cannon and tear gas to disperse the skirmishers, after having initially done little to hold back the government supporters, reporters said.
Hours after the violence, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned in the hope of forming a unity government and the police imposed a national curfew until 7am yesterday.
The country’s Cabinet stepped down.
Protesters angered by persistent shortages of fuel, cooking gas and electricity had defied the curfew to attack government figures, setting ablaze homes, shops and businesses belonging to ruling party lawmakers and provincial politicians.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the former prime minister’s younger brother, urged an end to the violence and his Government outlined broad powers for the military and police to detain and question people without arrest warrants.
The country’s defence ministry ordered troops to shoot at any people damaging public property or threatening lives.
The Joint Apparel Association Forum, which represents the Sri Lanka’s economically vital apparel industry, appealed for political stability.
United States State Department spokesman Ned Price said the US was concerned by the events. — Reuters