Ranil affirms no shoot-on-sight orders issued

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday that no shoot-on-sight orders were issued to the Police or armed forces personnel to quell violence that erupted on the night of 9 May.

“There were no shoot-on-sight orders. There is nothing in writing. Many agencies outside the country are asking why you have given such orders. No such orders were given,” the Prime Minister said in Parliament.

However, this is contrary to an announcement from the Defence Ministry on 10 May where it said shoot-on-sight orders were issued.

The Prime Minister said no special orders were given and Police were asked to follow standard procedure in dealing with unrest.