Sri Lankan soldiers carried assault rifles, police manned checkpoints in Colombo and the government blocked social media platforms to contain public unrest triggered by the country's economic crisis.
A Sri Lankan man shouts anti-government slogans during a protest outside the Sri Lankan president's private residence on the outskirts of Colombo, Sri Lanka.Sri Lankan soldiers carried assault rifles and police manned checkpoints in Colombo on Sunday as the government blocked social media platforms after imposing a curfew to contain public unrest triggered by the country's economic crisis.
The country's Minister for Youth and Sports Namal Rajapaksa, who is also the nephew of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, said in a tweet he would "never condone the blocking of social media". Emergency powers in the past have allowed the military to arrest and detain suspects without warrants, but the terms of the current powers are not yet clear.
Protestors hold banners and placards during a demonstration against the surge in prices and shortage of fuel and other essential commodities in Colombo."This is unacceptable," said opposition leader Eran Wickramaratne leaning over the barricades. "This is a democracy."
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Sri Lanka: 50 injured as protesters try to storm president’s house amid economic crisisCurfew lifted a day after 45 people were arrested when an angry crowd demanded the resignation of Gotabaya Rajapaksa
Read more »
Sri Lanka: 50 injured as protesters try to storm president’s house amid economic crisisCurfew lifted a day after 45 people were arrested when an angry crowd demanded the resignation of Gotabaya Rajapaksa
Read more »
Two years after the Black Summer fires, some Mallacoota residents are still sleeping roughSlow local government planning approval processes, rising property prices and a lack of affordable rentals are causing immense economic and social consequences for the isolated Victorian coastal town.
Read more »
Johnson to ‘bet big’ on nuclear energy despite Sunak’s reservationsDelayed strategy expected to focus less on onshore wind turbines in England amid Conservative backlash
Read more »
Johnson to ‘bet big’ on nuclear energy despite Sunak’s reservationsDelayed strategy expected to focus less on onshore wind turbines in England amid Conservative backlash
Read more »
Lismore mum gives birth just days after her home was engulfed by floodwatersAmid the devastating flooding in the north-eastern NSW city of Lismore, a mum has given birth to her third child. 9News
Read more »