Timeline of Sri Lanka’s political crisis
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Mar 2022: Protests erupt, demanding resignation of Rajapaksa brothers – President Gotabaya (right) and Prime Minister Mahinda (left) – for driving country to economic
ruin

Sri Lanka
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May 9: Government supporters attack protesters in Colombo, triggering deadly clashes across country
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Mahinda steps down but violence continues overnight, with several politicians’ houses torched
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May 10: Mahinda and family airlifted to safety after angry mob surrounds official residence. Troops ordered to shoot on sight
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May 12: President appoints veteran opposition lawmaker Ranil Wickremesinghe as prime minister in bid to end crisis
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CONSUMER PRICES
% increase on year earlier

Apr: Inflation rises to 29.8%, from 18.7% in March

30 25 20 15 10 5 0
2019
2020
2021
2022
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Trincomalee
Mahinda Rajapaksa, banned by court from leaving country, is holed up in naval base
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Anuradhapura
SRI LANKA Population: 22 million
Jaffna
Negombo
Colombo
Kandy
Hambantota
Galle
Weeraketiya

40km 25 miles
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Sources: Reuters, Bloomberg, Central Bank of Sri Lanka
Picture: Getty Images © GRAPHIC NEWS