Police use tear gas to disperse protest in Colombo, Sri LankaMOSCOW, Jul 9 The Russian Embassy in Sri Lanka urged Russian citizens to avoid visiting crowded places amid unrest in the country. Earlier, RIA Novosti was told in the Russian diplomatic mission that there was no threat to the security of the Russian Embassy in Sri Lanka due to protests in the country. against the backdrop of ongoing protests in Colombo, there are no threats to the safety of Russian tourists, as well as the Russian embassy in Sri Lanka. At the same time, we urge Russian citizens to avoid visiting crowded places,» the diplomatic mission said on Twitter. On Saturday, thousands of protests engulfed the capital of Sri -Lanka. Instead of the peaceful march planned for that day, the protesters broke through the police barricades and seized the presidential palace. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was reportedly evacuated shortly before protesters surrounded his residence. At least 33 people, including two police officers, were injured as a result of the protests, according to doctors. Sri Lanka is experiencing the worst economic crisis since the country gained independence in 1948. The coronavirus pandemic has hit the tourism sector, a key source of foreign exchange, leaving Sri Lanka unable to buy enough fuel. There is a shortage of food, basic necessities, medicines and gas in the country. Many parts of Sri Lanka are facing constant power outages due to lack of fuel. At the same time, the external debt of the island state is estimated at $51 billion.
