Sri Lanka military not given orders to shoot on sight: prime minister
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told parliament Thursday (19) morning that the military has not been given shoot-on-sight orders to quell violent protestors but police can act at their discretion under existing laws.
“No shoot on sight order was given. There is nothing in writing. There were no orders to shoot.
“Many agencies outside asking why. Like under any normal circumstance, the police has to use their discretion. [There is no] special order,” said Wickremesinghe.
Sri Lanka’s defence ministry said on May 10 that the military had been given orders to shoot people who attempt to destroy public property or cause personal harm. The ministry made this statement on the second day of mob violence that erupted around the country in retaliation to a government-backed attack on peaceful protestors the previous day. Several government members’ residences and offices were torched by angry mobs around the country. (Colombo/May19/2022)