Sri Lankans have a right to protest peacefully - essential for democratic expression. I am watching the situation closely, and hope the coming days bring restraint from all sides, as well as much needed economic stability and relief for those suffering.
— Ambassador Julie Chung (@USAmbSL) April 2, 2022
Responding to the protests against the Rajapaksa administration and the dire economic situation in Sri Lanka, US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung defended their right to protest.
Her statement comes as Sri Lanka’s police have enforced a strict curfew across parts of Colombo and have called in the military to suppress dissenters. Sri Lanka’s President, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, has decried the protesters as “extremists” whilst another government minister claimed that “terrorists” were behind the demonstration”.
The demonstrations outside the President were initially peaceful with the crowd having a mixture of mothers and children. However, as the demonstration grew Sri Lanka’s notorious Special Task Force (STF) was deployed alongside increased police personnel. Sri Lanka’s police use tear gas, water cannons, and batons against protesters without warning leading to escalating violence.
Read more here: Curfew in Sri Lanka as anti-government protests rock capital Colombo
Concern has also been raised over the abduction of Anuruddha Bandara, a social media activist who had demanded that the President step down. He was abducted on Friday night in his home in Gampola by a group of men claiming to be from the Modara police. The police force has since denied knowledge of his arrest.
Anuruddha Bandara, a social media activist involved in a campaign demanding #SriLanka president @GotabayaR to step down, was abducted on Friday (1) night, from his home in #Gampola by a group of men claiming to be from the #Modara police. The police deny knowledge of his arrest. pic.twitter.com/PoYtCAprXJ
— JDS (@JDSLanka) April 2, 2022
Sri Lanka is currently facing its worst economic crisis in decades with routine power outages and shortages of essential items impacting the whole island.