India dismisses reports of sending troops to Sri Lanka as protests intensify

India “resolutely” dismissed reports of sending troops to Sri Lanka as protesters invaded the residences of both the president and the prime minister and demanded their resignation.

Sri Lanka’s Indian High Commission issued a statement on Monday denying the “speculative reports” circulating on social media that New Delhi is sending troops to Sri Lanka to alleviate national anxiety.

“These reports and such views are also inconsistent with the position of the Government of India,” it said. Twitter postNote that India stood by the Sri Lankans in pursuit of national prosperity through democratic values.

Hundreds of rebels attacked President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s private residence in the Fort area of ​​Colombo on Saturday, demanding his resignation. Rajapaksa reportedly fled for his safety, and his whereabouts remain unknown.

Protesters rush to the Sri Lankan Presidential Residence in Colombo, Sri Lanka on July 9, 2022. (Eranga Jayawardena / AP Photo)

Protesters also fired at Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s residence and arrested three suspects.Security forces allegedly attacked the Daily Mirror, several journalists reporting the incident. report.

India’s Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar said on Sunday that New Delhi is closely tracking Sri Lanka’s developments and that there is “no refugee crisis” due to anxiety. Local report.

“We are helping and trying to help Sri Lanka and have always helped. They are working on their problems, we will see what happens. Now the refugee crisis is No, “he told reporters.

Cash found at Rajapaksa’s house

Anti-government protesters invading Rajapaksa’s residence on Saturday Claim to have He found Rupee 17.85 million ($ 225,000) hidden in his house and handed the collected money to the guards.

They vowed to occupy the residences of both leaders until they resigned.

On July 9, 2022, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, protesters protested in the presidential residence after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled during the economic crisis. (Dinuka Liyanawatte / Reuters)

Wickremesinghe said he urged some members of parliament to take office as negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) continue, but will resign when a new government is formed.

The Prime Minister declared Sri Lanka’s bankruptcy on July 5, stating that the government needs to finalize its debt restructuring and sustainability plans and submit them to the IMF by August.

If both Rajapaksa and Wickremesinghe resign, the Speaker of Parliament will take over as acting president for 30 days.

Clash between armed groups and civilians

The United Nations said it received reports that Sri Lankan troops fired live ammunition at protesters and police used tear gas and water cannons “unnecessarily and disproportionately” during the July 9 turmoil.

According to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), civilians and armed forces clashed at gas stations, and thousands of people waited hours or days to get fuel.

Police used tear gas and water cannons near the president’s residence in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on July 8, 2022, during a protest demanding the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa during the country’s economic crisis. Disbanded the demonstrators. (Dinuka Liyanawatte / Reuters)

“While recognizing the challenges facing police and the military, including cases of attacks on them, the government acts on police and the military to stop violence in dealings with the public and to act with maximum restraint. You need to give strict instructions to do. “It said in statement.

Sri Lankan troops denied firing on demonstrators attempting to attack Rajapaksa’s mansion on Saturday, claiming no intention of injuring protesters.

Police used tear gas and water cannons on July 9, 2022, near the presidential residence in Colombo, Sri Lanka, during a protest demanding the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa during the country’s economic crisis. Disbanded the demonstrators. (DinukaLiyanawatte / Reuters)

“The military has categorically denied firing at the protesters, but in order to prevent the protesters from invading the opposition, a number in the air and on the side walls of the main entrance to the site of the presidential residence. I fired a round. ” Said.

Thousands of Sri Lankans have gone out to the streets to demand the resignation of Rajapaksa and Wickremesinghe, who are responsible for the country’s worsening economic crisis.

Wickremesinghe was appointed in May, after which Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned in deadly anxiety.

Wickremesinghe said last week that Sri Lanka’s total debt would increase from Rs 1.7 trillion in 2021 to Rs 21.6 trillion in March this year, with $ 3.4 billion in debt due between June and December.

As of April 2022 Top creditors The debt is $ 4.4 billion for the Asian Development Bank, $ 3.39 billion for China, $ 3.36 billion for Japan, and $ 3.2 billion for the World Bank.