Sri Lanka: Protests continue ahead of November 14 parliament session /update 7

Event

Further protests are expected to be held in the capital Colombo and throughout the rest of the country in the run-up to a parliament session that will be convened on Wednesday, November 14, including daily gatherings at the Liberty Roundabout in the capital from 16:30 to 18:30 (local time). The United National Party (UNP) is calling for a mass rally to take place in Colombo on November 12, to denounce the ongoing political crisis. Heightened security measures and localized traffic disruptions are anticipated around all demonstrations and gatherings.

A protest held in Colombo by the UNP on November 8 was attended by thousands of supporters and a related vehicle procession created traffic disruptions. No violence was reported.

Context

The political crisis was prompted by the dismissal of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and his cabinet after President Maithripala Sirisena's party left the majority coalition on October 26. The move, viewed by the opposition as unconstitutional, resulted in the suspension of the parliament. President Sirisena immediately appointed former president Mahinda Rajapaksa as prime minister, a move that Wickremesinghe declared illegal. Both Wickremesinghe and Rajapaksa are attempting to shore up support among legislators ahead of the reconvention of parliament and a leadership vote.

Advice

Individuals present in Sri Lanka, particularly in Colombo, are advised to keep abreast of the domestic political climate, adhere to instructions issued by local authorities and their home governments, and to avoid all protests due to the risk of violence.