Sri Lanka police clear protest site stoking fear of more unrest

Hundreds of riot police wielding batons and shields raided Sri Lanka’s Presidential Secretariat and a nearby site occupied by protesters, stoking fears of more unrest in the crisis-hit nation that could complicate urgent talks over a bailout with the IMF.

The night-time raid took place only hours after Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as president, his predecessor Gotabaya Rajapaksa having fled the country and resigned following months of protests over his economic mismanagement.

“About a hundred riot police [were] moving in through the gate to the back of the building. They have also set up a barricade at the top of the road,” said Prabath, an engineering student.

The removal of demonstrators was a clear show of force by Wickremesinghe and might give renewed impetus to protesters who have struggled to keep up momentum after nearly four months of camping on the streets in scorching heat.

The move to crack down could also complicate talks with the IMF over a $3bn bailout package needed to get the economy up off its knees. Sri Lankans have suffered soaring prices, fuel shortages and many are foregoing daily meals.

Sri Lanka’s incoming president is unpopular with protesters, who accuse him of lacking a mandate because he lost his parliamentary seat in a recent election and was only voted into the presidency by parliament. They also say he protected Rajapaksa from allegations of corruption in a stint as prime minister between 2015 and 2019.

Protesters this month ransacked offices and private residences of the president and the prime minister, before vacating them shortly thereafter. The Presidential Secretariat, located in the heart of Colombo, was the only place where they remained, in a small part of the building, throughout the protests.

Early on Friday, the police quickly seized control of the perimeter of the presidential building and then cleared away tents, placards and artwork from a street in front of it amid scuffles and skirmishes with protesters.

The site has been at the heart of the protests that have rocked the island nation of 22mn, with demonstrators mingling and students organising dance parties and rallies, even as pedestrians strolled by.

By Friday morning, a larger tent city set up nearby and close to several upmarket hotels remained undisturbed by the security forces, giving refuge to fleeing protesters.