Sri Lanka Police Disperse Opposition Protest Amid Economic Crisis

Protesters decry tax hikes and increased utility prices, as opposition plans more demonstrations in the coming weeks.

Sri Lanka's police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse an opposition protest against the country's dire economic conditions.
Protesters, from the main opposition United People’s Power party, accused President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s administration of overburdening citizens by increasing taxes and hiking prices for electricity and fuel.
Opposition lawmaker Sarath Fonseka criticized the government for its alleged indifference to citizens' hardships, stating that people can no longer afford their bills or school supplies for their children.
The opposition plans more protests across the country in the coming weeks.
Sri Lanka, which declared bankruptcy in 2022 with more than $83 billion in debt, is currently under a four-year bailout program approved by the International Monetary Fund.