Troops ordered to open fire on looters as Curfew extended until Thursday
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May 10, 2022 11:11
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Sri Lankan security forces have been ordered to shoot law-breakers on sight in a bid to quell anti-government protests on the island.
With thousands of security forces enforcing a curfew, the defence ministry said troops "have been ordered to shoot on sight anyone looting public property or causing harm to life".
Demonstrators are calling for the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa over the island's worst economic crisis in history.
On Monday, his brother, Mahinda Rajapaksa, stepped down as prime minister amid violent street clashes.
But the resignation failed to bring calm and violence continued overnight. On Tuesday, the government ordered troops to open fire on anyone looting public property or causing "harm to life".
It also deployed tens of thousands of army, navy and air force personnel to patrol the streets of the capital Colombo.
Islandwide curfew currently in place will continue untill Thursday 12th 7.00 am. Earlier, the President Media Division announced that curfew will be lifted on Wednesday 7.00 a.m
