Curfew in Sri Lanka After Deadly Unrest

According to AFP, Sri Lanka has deployed thousands of military and police forces to enforce a curfew following the deaths of five people in violence, marking the worst incidents in weeks of protests over an unprecedented economic crisis. Approximately 200 others were injured in the violence yesterday, coinciding with the resignation of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, which did little to quell public anger. The military intervened to rescue him after thousands of demonstrators stormed his official residence in Colombo at night. The police fired tear gas and warning shots to disperse the crowd. A senior security official told AFP, "After a pre-dawn operation, the army transferred the former Prime Minister and his family to a safe location." Mahinda Rajapaksa's eldest son confirmed to the agency, "My father is safe in a secure location and is in contact with family." Namal Rajapaksa stated, "There are many rumors saying we will leave. We will not leave the country," considering the public anger against his family a "difficult phase." The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, condemned the violence and urged authorities to prevent further unrest. Bachelet expressed "deep concern over the escalation of violence in Sri Lanka after supporters of the Prime Minister attacked peaceful protesters in Colombo yesterday, followed by violence from crowds against members of the ruling party," adding, "I condemn all acts of violence and call on the authorities to conduct an independent, thorough, and transparent investigation into all the attacks that occurred."