Sri Lanka battles its worst economic crisis since independence as many flee the capital amid curfew
President promises to appoint new prime minister and cabinet this week ‘to prevent the country from falling into anarchy’Members of the public wait for a bus after a nationwide curfew was lifted for a few hours in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on May 12, 2022. Picture: BLOOMBERG/BUDDHIKA WEERASINGHE
Days of violent reprisals against government figures aligned to the powerful Rajapaksa clan followed. The army was called out to patrol the streets and police said nine people were killed and more than 300 injured in the clashes.Hundreds of people thronged the main bus station in Colombo after authorities lifted an indefinite curfew at 7am on Thursday.
“I don’t have the time to do my job. By the time I stay in the fuel queue and get petrol, the curfew will be imposed. I will have to go home without any money.” “I personally will extend my fullest cooperation to any investigation that is taking place with regard to the unfortunate events that took place on Monday,” Namal Rajapaksa said in a tweet following the order.The president has said he will appoint a new prime minister and cabinet this week “to prevent the country from falling into anarchy as well as to maintain the affairs of the government that have been halted”.
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