Lanka PM backs protesters demanding president's ouster

COLOMBO: In an unusual move, Sri Lanka's new PM Ranil Wickremesinghe has extended public support to the protesters, who have been camping at a popular beachfront here for over a month calling for President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's resignation for mishandling the country's worst economic crisis.
The PM on Saturday said he had appointed a committee to look after the interests of the 'Gota Go Home' village protesters who have been camping at Colombo's Galle Face Green since April 9. Wickremesinghe, who was appointed by Gotabaya as PM, said the protesters would be safeguarded and their views would be sought for the shaping of future policy.
In an interview with BBC, the PM said the protest should be continued to bring a change in the political system in the country and to let the country's youth take the responsibility to lead.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka on Sunday said it is taking all further steps to strengthen the security of the country as it investigates the report published in Indian media that the banned LTTE is planning an attack in the nation on May 18, coinciding with the anniversary of the end of Sri Lankan Civil War in 2009. The Indian intelligence services have informed Sri Lanka that the information has been given as general information. pti