Shoot at sight orders issued in Lanka

By Our Special Correspondent

Sri Lankan authorities issued shoot-on-sight orders on Tuesday to quell unrest that has seen buildings and vehicles set ablaze a day after the island was rocked by deadly violence and rioting. With thousands of security forces enforcing a curfew, the defence ministry said troops "have been ordered to shoot on sight anyone looting public property or causing harm to life". On Monday, government supporters with sticks and clubs attacked demonstrators in Colombo protesting peacefully for weeks over a dire economic crisis and demanding President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's resignation.

Meanwhile demonstrators continued their protest after several people were injured and at least eight killed in clashes with security forces. Police had fired tear gas and water cannon to disperse crowds and declared curfew in Colombo.

Sri Lanka has given emergency powers to the military and police to detain people without warrants after the violent clashes. Earlier, a crowd had attacked and set fire to a vehicle carrying Colombo's most senior policeman. In another sign of deteriorating security, vigilante groups blocked the main road to Colombo airport to check for any Rajapaksa loyalists trying to leave the island, witnesses said.

As well as those killed, more than 225 people were injured on Monday, which also saw the resignation of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. His departure, however, failed to quell public anger, with his brother still president and wielding widespread powers including command over security forces.