The Sri Lankan Army on Thursday, July 14, urged the anti-government protesters to desist from violence immediately or be prepared to face tough reinforcement, warning that the security forces are legitimately empowered to bulldoze the few individuals who act unlawfully.
According to media reports, at least 84 people were hospitalized when protesters clashed with the security forces at the prime minister’s office and at the main access junction to Parliament on Wednesday after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country.
The police fired tear gas and water cannons at the mob who were trying to break barriers and enter the restricted zone.
Yesterday the authorities imposed a curfew in the Western Province following the eruption of violence.
The curfew was lifted in the morning. But it had to be reimposed amid fears of violence as there was no word from President Rajapaksa on his resignation.
Anticipating more protests after a group attempted to storm Parliament’s entrance a day earlier, troops in green military uniforms and camouflage vests reinforced security at the Parliament on Thursday.
The Army in a statement urged the protestors to desist from all forms of violence immediately or be prepared to face consequences as members of the Armed Forces are legitimately empowered to exercise their force.
If the situation deems necessary as security to the public property, key installations, vulnerable points, and human lives do fall within the purview of their responsibility.
The Army said, irrespective of those assurances a certain section of the protesters, purposefully deviating from its proclaimed non-violent approach continued to breach law and order and resorted to violence by trying to place the Parliament complex as well as the Speaker’s official residence under siege.
