U.S. ambassador meets with Sri Lankan president to ask him to reassure the security forces

Jul. 22 () –

The US ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung, has held a meeting this Friday with the newly appointed president of the country, Ranil Wickremesinghe, whom she has asked to impose a policy of restraint on the security forces after the violent eviction last night of a camp of demonstrators.

The diplomat has conveyed her “grave concern over the unnecessary and deeply troubling escalation of violence against protesters,” Chung herself explained on her Twitter account.

“The president and the Cabinet have an opportunity and an obligation to respond to the demands of Sri Lankans for a better future,” the ambassador added.

“This is not the time to crack down on citizens, but to look ahead to the immediate and tangible steps the government can take to regain the confidence of the people, restore stability and rebuild the economy,” he concluded.

Sri Lankan authorities announced on July 14 the imposition of a curfew from 12.00 noon (local time) in the district of Colombo, the most populous city and former capital of the country, amid the wave of demonstrations in recent days and following the flight from the country of the president, Gotabaya Rajapaksa.