Troops and military vehicles have been deployed in the streets of Colombo amid widespread protests against the government over the economic failure of the country. The army said this was done to âensure public securityâ, a news report said. On Tuesday, the Sri Lankan Ministry of Defence ordered the Army, the Air Force and the Navy personnel to open fire on anyone looting public property or causing harm to others amidst violent protests in the island nation over the unprecedented economic and political crisis.
Violence erupted across the island nation – violence that now threatens to derail crucial bailout talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and exacerbate the economic crisis – after Rajapaksa quit.