Sri Lanka government allows non-violent demonstrations after raid on key protest site

Fears growing that harsh crackdowns on protesters could continue

Police examine damage at a conference hall during an investigation at the President's Palace in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Bloomberg

Police officers during the investigation at the palace in Colombo. Bloomberg

Crime investigation officers at the palace after protesters on July 14 left the premises, ending a five-day occupation of several official buildings. The parliament of Sri Lanka on July 15 accepted the resignation of Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who fled to Singapore after months of anti-government protests. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as interim president on July 15. EPA

One of the bedrooms at the President's Palace after protesters vacated the site. EPA

Crime investigation officers in the palace after the protesters' occupation. EPA

Officers inspect the palace for damage. EPA

Sri Lankan special task force soldiers on duty in the palace. EPA

Crime investigation officers in one of the bedrooms at the palace. EPA

The occupation of the palace followed months of anti-government protests fuelled by the economic crisis in Sri Lanka. EPA

Sri Lanka’s presidential office reopened on Sunday having been stormed by protesters and taken over, forcing the now former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa to seek shelter in a nearby residence.

Mr Rajapaksa, who then fled to Singapore and sent his resignation by email on July 14, was replaced by prime minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe who was approved by Parliament to fill the role.

Amid mounting international condemnation of the violent crackdown on protesters, Mr Wickremesinghe told diplomats this week that non-violent protests against his government will be allowed to continue, including in the commercial capital Colombo.

In a pre-dawn raid on Friday, hundreds of security personnel dismantled part of an anti-government protest camp outside the presidential office, or secretariat, raising fears of a wider crackdown by Mr Wickremesinghe, who was sworn in a day earlier.

"President Ranil Wickremesinghe has reaffirmed Sri Lanka's commitment to upholding the rights of peaceful, non-violent assembly," his office said in a statement, describing a meeting with Colombo-based envoys.

"The diplomats were also briefed on the measures being taken to ensure that non-violent protests were allowed to proceed within the city without endangering property or lives."

Friday's raid drew condemnation from the United Nations and western envoys, who urged the government to exercise restraint, saying the use of force could further destabilise the island nation suffering its worst economic crisis in seven decades.

Troops armed with batons and automatic weapons cleared the 92-year-old presidential secretariat in a pre-dawn raid Friday on the orders of Mr Wickremesinghe.

At least 48 people were wounded and nine arrested in the operation, during which security forces tore down tents set up by protesters outside the complex since April.

"The office is ready for reopening from Monday," said a police official on Sunday, who declined to be named as he was not authorised to speak to the media.

"The siege of the secretariat, which lasted since May 9, has now been lifted."

Police said forensic experts had been called in to check damage to the Presidential Secretariat and gather evidence.

The country of 22 million people has been suffering persistent shortages of fuel, food and other necessities, having run out of foreign exchange to bring in essential imports.