Sri Lankan police arrest 45 after overnight violence at president’s house. Security forces fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters. At least 10 people have been injured.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa has blamed ‘extremist forces’ for the violence. The capital city remains under a security blanket after Thursday night’s protests.
Sri Lankans are protesting against the Rajapaksa government’s handling of the country’s finances. The country owes foreign creditors $51 billion, with $4 billion due this year. Sri Lanka’s reserves are only $2.31 billion, and its current debt is 119 percent of GDP.
