Security forces in Sri Lanka destroy protest camp

Sri Lanka's security forces have destroyed the main camp of anti-government protesters, located in the capital, as this overnight operation has raised international concerns.

Special forces, armed with automatic rifles, fired protesters who were stationed near the presidency.

Hundreds of soldiers removed the barricades of protesters stationed near the building, while the last protesters left at the presidential residence left the military.

The operation took place hours after the new president, Ranil Wickermesinghe, chose the new prime minister in order to manage the economic crisis that has sparked protests in the state for months now.

Wickremesinghe was elected to the post of president Wednesday, replacing Gottabaya Rajapasa, who left for Singapore due to mass protests.

Citizens still protesting are also demanding that Wickreminghe resign, as they are accusing him of defending the Rajapasa clan, which has dominated the country's political scene in the past two decades.

On Friday morning, police and soldiers with automatic rifles cleared the main roads leading to the presidency.

But protesters, located near government buildings and the presidency, rejected the authorities' actions and demanded holding new elections. They have vowed to continue the protests.

In the police statement it was said that security forces “have cleared the Presidential Secretariat from the protesters, removing them both from the main gate and area around”.

Nine people have been arrested. Two of them were injured”, said in the statement.

The American ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung, said it was “perfectly concerned” with military actions.

“We urge authorities to refrain and offer medical treatment for the injured”, she wrote on Twitter.

Protests in Sri Lanka, which led to the departure of President Gottabaya Rajapasa, were sparked by the economic crisis and lack of food supplies, fuels and other primary products. / REL/