Sri Lankan PM warns protesters of dangerous repercussions

Colombo: As the failing economy touched off anger in Sri Lanka, the administration is at a loss to tame the crowds on its streets.

Aside from becalming the crowds, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahindra Rajapaksa came on TV on Monday warning protesters of 'dangerous repercussions'.

He talked about the country's dangerous lessons in history, referring to the erstwhile Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam(LTTE), which according to him demanded the entire parliament to step down rejecting the democratic system.

The youth in the North in 1970s, he said, started a struggle bombing the parliament and killing the people's representatives on road against parliamentary system.

Mahindra told the youths occupying the entrance to President's office in Colombo that every second they were protesting cost dollars to the country.

Prime Minister Rajapaksa came on TV as youths vigorously demanding all the Rajapaksas to step down from the key positions; protesters said they looted the country.

In his speech, Mahindra Rajapaksa said the country was falling over a precipice. However, he patted on the government's back saying it was able to save the nation from covid-19 pandemic.

Rajapaska assured his government was working 24 hours to stop the economic decline. He blamed Opposition for rejecting its invite to joining hands.

Rajapaksa said that certain loans from other countries had to be withdrawn in order to protect the sovereignty of the country, IANS reported.

In a significant policy reversal, he said organic agriculture introduced by President Gotabaya would be withdrawn and subsidised chemical fertiliser would be provided to the farmers.

On Monday India sent to Sri Lanka essential commodities including 40,000 MT of rice and medicine.