Sri Lanka economic crisis: Troops open fire amid riots over petrol, diesel supply

Sri Lanka’s military opened fire to quell unrest at a fuel station on Sunday, as the country’s insolvent government faced huge lines for gasoline and diesel.

Army spokesman Nilantha Premaratne said troops fired near Visuvamadu, 365 kilometers (228 miles) north of Colombo, on Saturday night when their guard position was bombarded with stones.

When the army opened fire for the first time to quell disturbances due to the increasing economic crisis, four civilians and three soldiers were wounded, according to police. Motorists began to protest when the pump ran out of gas, police said, and the situation developed into a brawl with troops.

Notably, Sri Lanka is experiencing its greatest economic crisis since independence, with the country unable to import basic necessities such as food, fuel, and medications due to a lack of dollars.

The country’s 22 million people have been suffering from severe shortages and long lines for basic goods, while President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has resisted calls to resign over mismanagement for months.

Armed police and army have been stationed at fuel pumps in Sri Lanka. When a conflict occurred over the distribution of rationed petrol and diesel in April in the central town of Rambukkana, a driver was shot dead by police. Automobile conflicts erupted in three sites over the weekend, according to police. In one clash, at least six constables were injured, and seven motorists were apprehended.

In an effort to limit commuting and conserve the impoverished country’s decreasing fuel supplies, the administration imposed a two-week shutdown of state institutions and schools.

Inflation is at an all-time high, and the country has been plagued by long-term power outages, all of which have contributed to months of unrest.

SOURCE: NEWS AGENCIES