Sri Lanka: Protests in Colombo October 30 amid heightened tensions /update 2

Event

The United National Party (UNP) will be holding a demonstration on Tuesday, October 30, in the Kollupitiya neighborhood of the capital Colombo beginning at noon (local time). The protest, expected to be widely attended, is being held against the recent appointment of a new prime minister by the president without the majority support of the parliament, which is perceived as unconstitutional. Scuffles between protesters and security forces, along with localized traffic disruptions, are anticipated.

Context

Tensions remain high in Colombo following the removal from office of Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe by President Maithripala Sirisena on October 26, after the president's United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) party withdrew from the coalition government. According to local sources, ousted Prime Minister Wickramasinghe has refused to vacate his official residence, as he claims he is still “constitutionally” prime minister.

One protester was killed on October 28 when the bodyguards of Sri Lanka's ousted petroleum minister opened fire on a group of protesters blocking the politician from entering his office at the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation in Colombo.

Advice

Individuals present in Sri Lanka, particularly in Colombo, are advised to keep abreast of the domestic political climate and to avoid all protests due to the risk of violence.