Protests that started in Sri Lanka due to the economic crisis have been going on for weeks. Clashes broke out today between supporters of the government and anti-government protesters in the capital, Colombo. Supporters of the government attacked the protesters, who had been camping for a month in front of the presidential office, with stones and sticks. Police responded with tear gas and water cannon to supporters of the government, who crossed the security strip and attacked the protesters. The government enforced an island-wide curfew starting on 09 May, as 78 people were injured in the incidents.
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has decided to resign after protests turned violent. It was stated that 76-year-old Rajapaksa, who previously served as President for two terms, submitted his resignation letter to his brother, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Sri Lanka has been suffering the worst economic crisis since gaining its independence from Britain in 1948, with food shortages, fuel shortages and power cuts. Demonstrators protesting the economic crisis demand the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on the grounds that he cannot manage the economy well. Rajapaksa, on the other hand, refuses to resign.
The Sri Lankan government requested assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) last month.
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