National unrest on Monday was sparked by violence that erupted in Colombo this morning after a large pro-government mob attacked protesters peacefully demanding a change of regime over the cost of living crisis.
Police are watching the crowd, which was armed with sticks and sticks, wounded 150 people and destroyed the protest site of Colombo Gati Face, where tens of thousands have gathered since April 9.
“This is a peaceful protest,” Pasindou Senanayaka, an anti-government protester, told Reuters, “they attacked Gotha Go Gamma and set fire to our tents. We are helpless now, we are asking for help. “
The mob was reportedly transported by bus to Colombo from across Sri Lanka to hold a demonstration in support of the ruling Rajapaksa family, but then continued to storm the protest site.
Anti-government protests have risen in recent weeks, demanding the resignation of Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the president of Sri Lanka, and his brother Mahinda, and a state of emergency was declared across the country on Friday.
Sri Lanka is facing one of the worst economic crises in the world. Gross macroeconomic mismanagement and corruption mean that Colombo owes £ 21bn to international debtors and has only £ 1.7bn in reserve.
The inability to import enough basic goods from abroad, rampant inflation has tripled the prices of basic food products such as rice since January.
Sri Lanka’s largest medical union has also declared a state of emergency, with many drugs and medical equipment running out of the country, including life-saving heart drugs and cancer drugs.
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