Police
Police constable suspended over beating street child in CTG
Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) suspended a police constable for allegedly beating up a street child for stealing a gas lighter on Sunday (June 11, 2023).
The suspended police was identified as Md Shawkat, a constable of CMP traffic division.
The incident took place around 11 am on Sunday (June 11) at a shop near the police box in Tiger Pass area under Kotwali police station of the city.
Read: 89 sued over police-Jubo Dal activists clash in Cumilla
Chattogram Metropolitan Police Commissioner Krishna Pada Roy came to know about the incident after a 30-second video footage of the incident went viral on social media. Later, the CMP commissioner ordered the suspension of the policeman.
Earlier, in the video that went viral on social media, that constable Shawkat was seen entering the shop and slapping the child randomly. At that time, he had a cigarette in his mouth.
Read: 10 held over police-Jubo Dal activists clash in Cumilla
Journalist Abu Sayed Mohammad Tamanna told UNB, "I saw a teenager being beaten up by a policeman for stealing a gas light. If I hadn't protested, he would have killed the boy. The police should be humane.”
Police, BNP clash in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi; One vehicle torched
A chase and counter-chase took place between police and BNP leaders and activists in front of City College the capital's Dhanmondi area on Tuesday (May 23, 2023).
Witnesses said leaders and activists of BNP staged a prescheduled march programme in the Dhanmondi area in the afternoon to press home their 10-point demand, including holding the next general election under a non-party caretaker government..
After the end of the march, they brought out a procession that ended at the Science Lab intersection.
When they were marching towards City College, a chase and counter-chase took place with police around 4 pm, triggering a clash.
Read more: Law enforcers cordon off Rajshahi BNP office, March programme cancelled
Later, police lobbed tear gas shells and charged batons to disperse the BNP men.
The BNP activists also hurled brick chips targeting police, said Deputy Commissioner of Ramna division of DMP Md Ashraf Hossain.
Several vehicles were vandalized and one was set on fire during the clash.
“Police took the situation under control and arrested some people from the spot,” said DC Ashraf.
Read more: Mirza Fakhrul, Rajshahi BNP leader sued for 'death threat against PM'
Ashraf said a group of BNP leaders and workers attacked the police and obstructed the movement of vehicles, forcing the law enforcers to go into action.
He said 8/9 police personnel were injured in the attack. "We have arrested 15 people in this connection.”
Dhaka South City unit BNP convener Abdus Salam said they ended their road march peacefully near LabAid and asked their leaders and workers to go to their respective destinations.
“But police attacked our leaders and activists when they were returning home, leaving many of the injured. They also attacked our some leaders and activists, including Dhanmondi unit president Robiul Islam Robi,” he said.
Read more: AL files two cases against 450 BNP men over a clash in Patuakhali
Salam strongly condemned this incident and demanded the release of the arrested leaders and activists immediately.
Job Circular: Bangladesh Police to recruit sub-inspectors
Bangladesh Police has published recruitment circular for the post of sub-inspector (SI) (Unarmed). Both male and female candidates will get the opportunity to apply for this post. Interested candidates should apply online.
Job Circular in Police
Post Name: Sub-Inspector (SI) (Unarmed)
Educational qualification: Possessing a minimum Bachelor's degree from a recognized university and computer proficiency. Candidate must be single.
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Physical structure
Height minimum 5 feet 6 inches, chest size 32 inches in normal state and 34 inches in expanded state for male candidates. Height minimum 5 feet 4 inches for female candidates.
Application Process:
Candidates should apply by entering this link http://police.teletalk.com.bd.
Last date of application:
May 27, 2023.
Source: Bangladesh Police Website.
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Police: 8 killed in Texas mall shooting, gunman also dead
A gunman killed eight people and wounded seven others – three critically – in a shooting at a Dallas-area mall before being fatally shot by a police officer who happened to be nearby, authorities said Saturday.
Authorities did not immediately provide details about the victims, but witnesses reported seeing children among them. Some said they also saw what appeared to be a police officer and a mall security guard unconscious on the ground.
The shooting was the latest episode of gun violence to strike the country. It sent hundreds of shoppers fleeing in panic.
Allen Police said in a Facebook post that nine victims had been taken to hospitals. Medical City Healthcare, a Dallas-area hospital system, said in a written statement it was treating eight between the ages of 5 and 61.
Dashcam video that circulated online showed a gunman step out of a vehicle outside the mall and immediately start shooting at people on the sidewalk. More than three dozen shots could be heard as the vehicle recording the video drove off.
An Allen Police officer was in the area on an unrelated call when he heard shots at 3:36 p.m., the police department wrote on Facebook.
“The officer engaged the suspect and neutralized the threat. He then called for emergency personnel. Nine victims were transported to local hospitals by Allen Fire Department,” the agency wrote in the Facebook post. “There is no longer an active threat.”
Mass killings are happening with staggering frequency in the United States this year: an average of about one a week, according to an analysis of The AP/USA Today data.
The White House said President Biden had been briefed on the shooting and that the administration had offered support to local officials. Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who has signed laws easing firearms restrictions following past mass shootings, called it an “unspeakable tragedy.”
A crowd of hundreds of people who had been shopping stood outside, across the street from the mall, Saturday evening. Officers circulated among them asking if anyone had seen what happened.
Fontayne Payton, 35, was at H&M when he heard the sound of gunshots through the headphones he was wearing.
“It was so loud, it sounded like it was right outside,” Payton said.
Read more: Police: 5 people killed in shooting at home north of Houston
People in the store scattered before employees ushered the group into the fitting rooms and then a lockable back room, he said. When they were given the all-clear to leave, Payton saw the store had broken windows and a trail of blood to the door. Discarded sandals and bloodied clothes were laying nearby.
Once outside, Payton saw bodies.
“I pray it wasn’t kids, but it looked like kids,” he said. The bodies were covered in white towels, slumped over bags on the ground, he said.
“It broke me when I walked out to see that,” he said.
Further away, he saw the body of a heavyset man wearing all black. He assumed it was the shooter, Payton said, because unlike the other bodies it had not been covered up.
Tarakram Nunna, 25, and Ramakrishna Mullapudi, 26, said they saw what appeared to be three people lying motionless on the ground, including one who appeared to be a police officer and another who appeared to be a mall security guard.
Another shopper, Sharkie Mouli, 24, said he hid in a Banana Republic store during the shooting. As he left, he saw what appeared to be an unconscious police officer lying next to another unconscious person outside the outlet store.
“I have seen his gun lying right next to him and a guy who is like passing out right next to him,” Mouli said.
Stan and Mary Ann Greene were browsing in the Columbia sportswear store when the shooting started.
“We had just gotten in, just a couple minutes earlier, and we just heard a lot of loud popping,” Mary Ann Greene told The Associated Press.
Employees immediately rolled down the security gate and brought everyone to the rear of the store until police arrived and escorted them out, the Greenes said.
Read more: Teenage boy kills 8 children, guard at school in Belgrade
Eber Romero was at the Under Armour store when a cashier mentioned that there was a shooting.
As he left the store, Romero said, the mall appeared empty, and all the shops had their security gates down. That is when he started seeing broken glass and people who had been shot on the floor.
Video shared on social media showed people running through a parking lot while gunfire could be heard.
More than 30 police cruisers with lights flashing were blocking an entrance to the mall, with multiple ambulances on the scene.
A live aerial broadcast from the news station showed armored trucks and other law enforcement vehicles stationed outside the sprawling outdoor mall.
Ambulances from several neighboring cities responded to the scene.
The Dallas office of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also responded.
Allen, a suburb about 25 miles (40 kilometers) north of downtown Dallas, has roughly 105,000 residents.
Clash between two groups leaves 1 dead, 25 wounded in Habiganj
A man was killed and 25 were wounded in a clash between two groups, allegedly over establishing supremacy, in Baniachong upazila of Habiganj yesterday evening.
Police have so far detained six people in connection with the incident. A tense situation has been prevailing in the area since yesterday.
The deceased was identified as Jahangir Miah, 45, while identities of the injured could not be known immediately.
Police and locals said there had long been a dispute between former union parishad member Azam Ali and Kachham Ali of Kushiyartala village under the upazila over establishing dominance.
People of both groups locked into an altercation over income earned from properties when arbitration was going on at the village on Saturday afternoon, they said.
Read more: Panchagarh clash leaves 2 killed and at least 50 hurt
At one stage, the groups attacked each other with locally made lethal weapons, leaving Jahangir dead on the spot and 25 injured. They are now undergoing treatment at Habiganj Sadar Adhunik Hospital.
Jahangir belonged to the Kachham Ali group, locals said.
Ajoy Chandra Dev, officer-in-charge of Baniachong Police Station, confirmed the death, saying that police fired 20 rounds of bullets and used 2 rounds of tear gas to bring the situation under control.
Six people were detained from the spot after the incident while members of law enforcing agencies have been patrolling the area to ward off any violent incident further, he said.
The body was sent to the Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy, the OC said, adding that no case has so far been lodged in this connection.
How to Apply Online for Police Clearance Certificate in Bangladesh?
The Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) is a document issued by the Bangladesh Police to certify that a person has no criminal records. It is an official document that is issued by police of Bangladesh upon request of an individual. It is an important document for any individual living in Bangladesh who wishes to demonstrate their clean record and good character to authorities in Bangladesh or abroad. Getting a police clearance certificate is easy, and anyone can get it through an online application. This article will cover the necessary steps to get a police clearance certificate online.
Who Needs a Police Clearance Certificate?
In Bangladesh, there are several situations where individuals may be required to obtain a police clearance certificate. One common scenario is when applying for a job, especially in the government or private sector. Employers often require the certificate to ensure that their employees have a clean record and no history of involvement in illegal activities. Similarly, individuals who plan to study abroad or immigrate to other countries may also be required to provide a clearance certificate as part of the visa application process.
Furthermore, those who wish to adopt a child or participate in volunteer work may also need to obtain a PCC. Foreign nationals living or working in Bangladesh may also require PCC to switch a job or move to another country. Overall, the PCC serves as a crucial document to demonstrate an individual's good character and integrity, and it is required for various purposes in Bangladesh and abroad.
Read More: e-TIN: Online registration process in Bangladesh
How to Apply Online for a Police Clearance Certificate in Bangladesh?
Previously, people faced numerous difficulties, including wasting a huge amount of time to obtain their police clearance certificate. However, with the right knowledge of the online application process, the applicant can now easily acquire a certificate. To achieve this, the applicant needs to collect the necessary documents and get familiarized with the regulations for the online application. Let us now look into the procedure for obtaining a police clearance certificate.
Conditions for Obtaining Police Clearance Certificate
Applicants must have a passport with at least 3 months of validity. The Police Clearance Certificate can only be obtained by the candidate if both of their current and permanent addresses are within the boundaries of Bangladesh Police. This includes any Metropolitan Police or District Police jurisdiction.
However, a Bangladeshi citizen living abroad can also get PCC. In the case of Machine Readable Passport (MRP), if the address is not mentioned in the passport, then the photocopy of the National Identity Card/Birth Registration Certificate/Local Ward Councilor Certificate must be submitted as proof of address. The copy should be attested by the Government Gazetted 1st class officer.
Read More: Smart NID Card in Bangladesh: Online Application Process, Documents Needed, Fees
When a Bangladeshi passport holder staying abroad wants to obtain a police clearance certificate, a copy of the information page of his or her passport attested by the Bangladesh Embassy/High Commission (in the country where he or she is currently staying) should be submitted along with the application made on his or her behalf.
If the applicant is attempting to apply for police verification with a previously used passport number, the application will be rejected. Additionally, even if the applicant has a draft copy of a previous application, it will not be accepted.
To avoid such situations, the applicant needs to delete the previous draft application and submit a new one. If the applicant requires assistance, he or she can contact the Police Helpline. Contact Number: 01320001824, 01320001825 (Sunday to Thursday, 9 am to 4 pm except for Public Holidays).
Read More: How to Get E-Passport in Bangladesh: Things you need to know
Any Bangladeshi citizen going abroad or expatriate who has issued/re-issued passports from any country other than Bangladesh needs to upload a scanned copy of the page containing the latest arrival stamp with the application if he or she wants to obtain police clearance after arriving in Bangladesh.
Non-resident Bangladeshi applicants need to upload an authorization letter with the application stating the name and National Identity Card number of the person through whom they wish to collect the Police Clearance Certificate. If the applicant is local, the permission letter must still be submitted to the collector at the time of acceptance of the certificate.
If a Bangladeshi citizen needs a police clearance for employment or any other work within Bangladesh, the individual can collect it from the district DSB office of the district where he or she lives. If the applicant’s address is in the metropolitan area, he or she needs to contact the city SB office of the metropolitan area.
Read More: How to Obtain an International Automobile Driving License from Bangladesh?
Required Documents
The applicant will need to submit a properly completed application form through the Bangladesh Police’s website. Scan copy of the information page of the passport attested by 1st class gazetted officers is required.
Bangladeshi citizens living outside their country must upload the scanned attested copy of the passport information page. The passport information page needs to be attested by the Bangladesh Embassy in the relevant country.
In the case of foreign nationals, the scanned copy of the information page of the passport needs to be attested by the Justice of the Peace of their country.
Read More: How to Get a Trade License in Bangladesh?
Step-by-Step Guide to Apply Online for Police Clearance Certificate
Bangladeshi citizens going abroad or living abroad can apply online from anywhere in the country or outside the country using the internet at https://pcc.police.gov.bd/ or by visiting the Bangladesh Police website (http://www.police.gov.bd/) and clicking on the Online Police Clearance located on the left side. The application can be made on a computer or mobile phone, and upload the necessary documents and government fee payment challan along with the application. The applicant does not require to visit the police station in person.
The first step of the application form is to fill in personal details; the second step is to fill in the current and permanent address. The third step is to upload scanned copies of the required documents. Filled all the information can be seen in the fourth step. If there is any mistake in the application, it can be corrected by going through the previous steps. However, after the submission of the application in the fourth stage, there will be no chance of correction. In the fifth step of the application form, the applicant can see the payment option.
Pay the Fee
It takes Tk 500 (source: Bangladesh Police, retrieved March 18, 2023) to get police clearance. Tk 500 should be deposited in favor of the Bangladesh Government through treasury challan from any branch of Bangladesh Bank/Sonali Bank (code 1-7301-0001-2681). Those who are not willing to go to the bank and stand in line to submit the challan fee for PCC can submit the challan fee of Tk online through different online methods.
Read More: E-Passport for Children in Bangladesh: Application process, necessary documents
There will be some instructions on how to pay the fee through challan and what to do next. Follow those instructions. The application reference number must be written on the original copy of the invoice before uploading it. Otherwise, the authority will not accept the payment and the application will be rejected.
Get an Update on the PCC Application
To know the latest status of the application, the applicant can send a text message to 26969 from any mobile with PCC S (PCC S XXXXXXXXX) followed by his or her application reference number. The applicant will get the latest status of his or her application on a return SMS.
Receiving the Police Clearance Certificate
After the police clearance certificate is signed by the officer-in-charge of the police station, countersigned by the Superintendent of Police or Deputy Commissioner of Police, and verified by the Ministry of External Affairs, the applicant can personally collect it from the One Stop Service Counter of the Office of the District Superintendent of Police or Metropolitan Police Commissioner.
If the applicant wants to receive it by courier or post, he or she can specify it during the time of application. In that case, the applicant can get the certificate at home, subject to payment of postage or courier fee. Receiving the certificate will not take more than 7 working days within Dhaka and 10 working days outside Dhaka after submission of the application.
Read More: Bangladesh E-passport Error Correction Process
Verify the PCC
A QR code is printed in case of an online police clearance certificate. Scanning the code using a QR code scanner application from any smartphone will provide an online link to the issued certificate. Visiting the link using any internet browser will display an exact digital copy of the issued certificate. As a result, there will be no possibility of a counterfeit police clearance certificate being issued, and any foreign mission can verify it online.
How Does the Police Investigate?
Usually, the candidate does not need to go to the police station. The Investigating Police Officer will go to the candidate's address for investigation. However, the original copies of all the submitted documents must be provided if requested by the investigating police officer.
If a candidate faces any form of harassment to get police clearance, they can file a complaint with either the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Headquarters and Administration) of the related metropolitan area or the Superintendent of Police of the relevant district in the event that the region is not metropolitan.
Read More: Get Digital Birth Certificate (English) in Bangladesh: Process, documents, frees
How Long Does the Police Clearance Certificate Remain Valid?
The validity depends on the authority or the country one is applying for. Depending on that, one may use the PCC within 30 days to 6 months. One can apply again for a new police clearance certificate, once the previous PCC has expired.
Final Words
Applying online for a police clearance certificate in Bangladesh is a convenient and efficient process that saves time and effort. With the use of modern technology and the internet, applicants can now apply for a police clearance certificate from anywhere in the world, as long as they have access to the necessary documents and a reliable internet connection.
It is important to ensure that all required documents and information are accurate and up-to-date before submitting the application, as any errors or discrepancies can result in delays or rejection of the application. By following the step-by-step guidelines provided in this article, applicants can complete the online application process smoothly and obtain their police clearance certificate in a timely manner.
Read More: SSC, HSC Certificate Information Change or Correction Process in Bangladesh
First all-female police dog handler team introduced today
Bangladesh Police today introduced the first female police dog handler team — comprising members of the female Airport Armed Police Battalion — to make the operational activities more dynamic.Seven female APBN members have been included in the police dog handler team after getting training from the K9 dog handler course. They received training from professional dog squad trainer Tony Brison (UK) and Melin Broadweek (New Zealand). The US embassy and Airport Armed Police jointly organised the training.Commanding Officer of Airport Armed Police Battalion-13, Tofail Ahmed, handed over the certificates to them after the conclusion of the training course today.Airport Armed Police Battalion started the K9 Dog Squad unit with two labradors, two German shepherds and four malinios dogs in 2017.The dog squad unit has been used for checking passengers and screening luggage.Mohammad Ziaul Haque, additional superintendent of police (media) of Airport Armed Police Battalion, said the government has taken a step to upgrade the number of dogs to 66 in the dog squad group by 2025.The government took the steps considering the operations of the third terminal of the airport, he said.Fifteen more dogs will be attached to the dog squad in 2023.A full-fledged dog squad can play an important role in preventing sabotage, drug smuggling and currency smuggling, said speakers at the programme.
Clashes erupt in Pakistan as police try to arrest Imran Khan
Clashes between Pakistan's police and supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan persisted outside his home in the eastern city of Lahore on Wednesday, a day after officers went to arrest him for failing to appear in court on graft charges.
The police operation triggered clashes between Khan's supporters and police in the country's major cities, including Karachi, Islamabad, the garrison city of Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Quetta and elsewhere in Pakistan.
For the past 18 hours, police were firing tear gas at the house as the 70-year-old opposition leader's supporters hurled rocks and bricks at the officers. The upscale area of Zaman Park where Khan lives was under siege since Tuesday. The government was sending additional police to tackle the situation after hundreds of Khan's supporters showed unexpected perseverance.
Early Wednesday, Khan emerged from his house to meet with his supporters, who faced tear gas and police batons the whole night to save him from arrest. He said he was ready to travel to Islamabad on March 18 under his arrest warrant, but police did not accept the offer.
The confrontation outside Khan's house continued.
Also Read: Pakistan's ex-PM Imran Khan no-show in court, avoids arrest
About a dozen police and some 35 of Khan's supporters were reported injured. Tear gas shells and pieces of bricks littered the pavement as Khan's followers fought back with batons they had brought to resist police, who were preparing for a final effort to arrest Khan.
Khan, who was ousted in a no-confidence vote in Parliament in April, was ordered to appear before a judge in Islamabad on Friday to answer charges of illegally selling state gifts he had received during his term as premier and concealing his assets.
The former premier has avoided appearances before the court since November, when he was wounded in a gun attack at a protest rally in the eastern Punjab province, claiming he was not medically fit to travel from Lahore to Islamabad to face indictment.
Also Read: Pakistani court orders arrest of former premier Imran Khan
Last week, he went to Islamabad to appear before three courts, but he failed to appear before the fourth court to face indictment in the graft case, which is a legal process for starting his trial.
Khan has claimed that the string of cases against him, which includes terrorism charges, are a plot by the government of his successor, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, to discredit the former cricket star turned Islamist politician.
On Tuesday, Sharif told Pakistan's Geo television that Khan's arrest was ordered by a court, and it was not political victimization.
“We will arrest him, and will do it on a court order,” Shahzad Bukhari, deputy-inspector general of Islamabad police, told reporters earlier in Lahore. Later, Bukhari was also lightly injured in the violence and received first aid from police medics at the scene.
Also Read: Imran Khan's party dissolves assembly in Pakistani province
However, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, a top leader from Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, said the government was trying to disrupt law and order by sending police to Khan’s house.
“We are ready to find a middle way through talks with police, but we should know what the purpose of today’s police raid is,” he said. “Don't worsen the situation. Let us sit and discuss what you want,” Qureshi asked the police.
He said Khan could consider voluntarily offering his arrest, “but let us talk first."
Also Read: Imran Khan far better actor than Shahrukh and Salman, says Pakistani politician
Fawad Chaudhry, another senior party leader, said Khan’s legal team was in the process of submitting a request to the Islamabad High Court to have warrants against Khan suspended. Khan's lawyers were also legally challenging the warrants before another Islamabad court Tuesday.
From inside his home, Khan urged his followers to fight on even if he is arrested. “They think this nation will fall asleep when Imran Khan is jailed,” he wrote on Twitter. “You need to prove them wrong.”
Police said reinforcements were on their way to Khan's house to bring the situation under control.
TV footage showed tear gas shells falling inside Khan's house.
Angered over the expected arrest of Khan, his supporters took to the streets across Pakistan, blocking some key roads near Islamabad while asking the government to refrain from arresting Khan.
“We will arrest this man on the court order and he ran away to avoid arrest,” said Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan, who is not related to the former premier. He said Khan will be produced before the court.
RU students block Dhaka-Rajshahi highway to protest ‘attack from locals and police’
Rajshahi University students today blocked the Dhaka-Rajshahi highway to protest the “attack on them by locals and police” last night.
Members of Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) were deployed on the highway to control the situation, UNB’s RU correspondent said.
Earlier today, students demonstrated in front of the administration building of the university and locked the building to protest last night’s clash involving locals of Binodpur and the students of Rajshahi University. At least 200 students were injured during the clash.
Read more: Over 200 students injured as RU students clash with locals over bus seat
The protesting students shouted slogans with their six-point demand, calling for justice.
Their demands are: justice for the attack on RU students by locals and police, stopping the entry of outsiders in the university and ensuring safety of the students, ensuring on-campus accommodation for all students, ensuring proper treatment of the injured students, taking necessary measures within 24 hours of the incident, and ensuring student representation in forming university policies.
According to the university sources, the students staged a sit-in protest in front of the Senate Building after holding a protest march on the campus to talk with the authorities. Later, they blocked the Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Golam Shabbir Sattar, the Pro Vice-Chancellor Prof. Md. Sultan-Ul-Islam, and Prof. M. Humayun Kabir for two hours in front of Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Senate building.
Read More: RU student stabbed on campus, 3 held
VC Prof Golam Sabbir Sattar urged the students to stop the demonstration. However, the agitating students rejected his request and asked him to solve the issue.
Amanullah Khan, a student of Population Science and Human Resource Development department of the university, said, “Police were largely inactive in the incident, rather they threw tear gas shells and fired rubber bullets at us. Taking advantage of their inaction, local thugs attacked us. The agitation will continue if our demands are not met.”
At that time, he demanded the resignation of the university’s proctorial body and student advisor.
Sri Lanka police fire tear gas at election protest; 15 hurt
Police in Sri Lanka on Sunday fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters angry over a decision to postpone local elections after the government said it cannot finance them because of the country's crippling economic crisis.
About 15 people were treated for minor injuries, according to Colombo National Hospital.
Thousands of supporters of the opposition National People's Power party tried to march toward the main business district in capital Colombo, ignoring police warnings after a court order barred them from entering the area, which includes the president's residence, office and several key government buildings.
The order had been obtained in the backdrop of last July's massive protests, when thousands of people stormed the presidential office and residence and occupied them for days. The crisis forced then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to flee the country and resign.
The turmoil was caused by severe shortages of some foods, fuel, cooking gas and medicine, after Sri Lanka went bankrupt because it could not repay its foreign debt. The new president, Ranil Wickremesinghe, negotiated a rescue package with the International Monetary Fund for $2.9 billion over four years, but it can be finalized only if Sri Lanka’s creditors give assurances on debt restructuring.
Sri Lanka’s total foreign debt exceeds $ 51 billion, of which it must repay $28 billion by 2027. India and several other creditor countries have so far given assurances that meet the IMF standards, but the deal hinges on whether China would agree to debt restructuring at the same level.
The Finance Ministry under Wickremesinghe said it can't allocate sufficient funds for the March 9 elections for town and village councils, even though political parties had submitted nominations.
The decision forced the Election Commission to indefinitely postpone the elections.
Despite signs of progress in reducing shortages and ending daily power cuts after nearly a year, Wickremesinghe is immensely unpopular. Many people say he lacks the mandate because he was elected by lawmakers backed by Rajapaksa supporters. They accuse Wickremesinghe of protecting members of the Rajapaksa family from corruption allegations in return for backing him in Parliament.
The National People’s Power party, which organized Sunday's rally, has only three lawmakers in Sri Lanka's 225-member Parliament but it enjoys a wave of public support after the economic crisis eroded the popularity of traditional political parties that have ruled Sri Lanka since independence.