Sri Lanka’s president, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, has, this Wednesday, urged people to reject what he called attempts to cause racial and religious disharmony as violence broke out in many parts of the country over the government’s handling of a devastating economic crisis.

The government has also ordered troops to shoot at anyone damaging public property or threatening lives

Violent street protests have killed eight people this week, and even the resignation of President Rajapaksa’s elder brother as prime minister and a curfew have failed to douse public anger.

Sri Lankans are blaming the Rajapaksa clan for the economic meltdown that has left the country with only about $50m in reserves, stalling most imports and leading to massive shortages of fuel, cooking gas, and other essentials.