Sri Lankan Chief of Defence Says Army Will Comply With Constitution Amid Protests

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Sri Lankan Army Commander and Chief of Defence Shavendra Silva told a briefing on Tuesday that the army was ready to provide security and would comply with the constitution amid a wave of protests in the country.

"The Army as a professional outfit is always prepared to provide security and protection to the State as necessary", Silva said, as quoted by the Sri Lankan newspaper Colombo Gazette.

Defence advisers and attaches from Australia, China, India, Iran, Japan, the Maldives, Pakistan, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Russia attended the meeting, according to the newspaper.

On Friday, Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa declared a nationwide state of emergency to ensure public security, a day after mass protests erupted in Colombo due to growing public discontent with the government's efforts in dealing with the economic crisis that has gripped the country for the past three years. On Sunday, all Sri Lankan Cabinet members, except Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, resigned.

Members of Sri Lankan Special Task Force walk towards Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's residence during a protest against him as many parts of the crisis-hit country faced up to 13 hours without electricity due to a shortage of foreign currency to import fuel, in Colombo, Sri Lanka March 31, 2022.

© REUTERS / DINUKA LIYANAWATTE

Sri Lanka is now facing the worst economic crisis since gaining independence in 1948. The recession is attributed to foreign exchange shortages caused by the clampdown on tourism during the COVID-19 pandemic. That left the country unable to buy enough fuel, with people facing acute scarcity of food and basic necessities, heating fuel, and gas.

Let's stay in touch no matter what! Follow our Telegram channel to get all the latest news: https://t.me/sputniknewsus