Colombo, 19 July
A senior Indian government official posted in Sri Lanka suffered serious injuries in an unprovoked attack, the Indian High Commission said here on Tuesday as it urged its citizens to remain aware of the latest developments in the island nation and plan their movements and activities accordingly. requested.
Sri Lanka is witnessing public unrest due to the unprecedented economic crisis followed by political turmoil in the country. Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe imposed a state of emergency on Monday ahead of Wednesday’s crucial election to elect a new president.
The Indian High Commission in a tweet said that the relations between the people of India and Sri Lanka have always been cordial and friendly.
“In the prevailing situation, Indian citizens in #Sri Lanka are requested to be aware of the latest developments and plan their movements and activities accordingly. You can contact us if required,” it said.
In another tweet, the High Commission said that its officials met “Indian National and Indian Visa Center Director Vivek Verma, who was seriously injured in an unprovoked attack near Colombo last night” in the morning.
The matter was brought to the notice of the Sri Lankan authorities.
Wickremesinghe, who was sworn in as acting president on Friday after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled to the Maldives, and then moved to Singapore, from where he faced a public revolt against his government’s mishandling of the country’s economy. Resigned for, imposed emergency as protests demanded him. Resignations continued in most parts of the country.
Wickremesinghe, who is contesting the election, defended the imposition of emergency, saying it was necessary in the interest of public safety, protection of public order and maintenance of supplies and services essential to the life of the community in Sri Lanka.
He has asked security forces not to allow violent anti-government protests ahead of Wednesday’s presidential election.