COLOMBO, May 11 ― Sri Lanka's president urged people today to reject what he called attempts to foment racial and religious disharmony, as clashes broke out in many parts of the country over the government's handling of a devastating economic crisis. Violent street protests killed eight people...
COLOMBO, May 11 ― Sri Lanka's president urged people today to reject what he called attempts to foment racial and religious disharmony, as clashes broke out in many parts of the country over the government's handling of a devastating economic crisis.
Sri Lankans have blamed the Rajapaksa dynasty for the economic meltdown that has left the country with only about US$50 million in reserves, stalling most imports and leading to massive shortages of fuel, cooking gas, and other essentials.“This is the time for all Sri Lankans to join hands as one, to overcome the economic, social & political challenges,” Rajapaksa said on Twitter.
It was not immediately clear what prompted the president to issue the warning. However, Sri Lanka has a long and bloody history of ethnic tensions. Sinhalese Buddhists are the majority in the country of 22 million which also has Muslim, Hindu and Christian minorities.
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