Sri Lanka crisis: Why state-run channels go off air amid protests?

The ongoing outrage in crisis-hit Sri Lanka following President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fleeing the country, state-run television channel Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) on Wednesday temporarily went off air.

Local media reported that the step was taken after protestors stormed into the office premises and demanded that news on “anti-government” stir and entertainment programmes only be shown.

Also read: India refutes reports of aiding Gotabaya’s Maldives journey

Earlier, the protesters were allowed for a 15 minute slot to convey their side of the story. In one of the tweets shared by Newswire, one protester said that “until the struggle is over”, the SLRC will only telecast programmes of the “Jana Aragalaya”.

Meanwhile, the national TV channel was taken off air. However, according to a latest report by Newswire, the live transmission has resumed.

Also read: Where is Gotabaya Rajapaksa now?

Colombo-based Daily Mirror reported that state-governed Independent Television Network (ITN) was also taken off air after protestors surrounded its office premises. There is no update on whether the ITN has resumed live telecast.

This development comes after Rajapaksa appointed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe as the acting President of the country. This led to fresh agitation as protesters, from the beginning, had demanded that both Wickremesinghe and Rajapaksa resign from their respective roles.

Also read: Gotabaya Rajapaksa: Rise and fall of the Sri Lankan president

On Wednesday, security forces took to the streets to control the mob, and even shot several rounds of tear gas shells to keep the situation from worsening further. The agitators, who see the PM as an ally of Rajapaksa, were heard chanting, “Ranil go home!”

A state of emergency has been declared across the country by Wickremesinghe within his power as the acting President. He also imposed a curfew in the western province.

Also read: After airport clash, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa planned to flee Sri Lanka by sea: Report

Meanwhile, Sri Lankan authorities confirmed earlier in the day that Rajapaksa along with his wife and two bodyguards fled to Male in Maldives after full approval of the country’s defence ministry. He landed at the Velana International Airport in Male late on Tuesday night on a Lankan Air Force plane.

Also read: Sri Lankan leader Sajith Premadasa’s party ready to form new government: Report

On Wednesday, Rajapaksa is expected to step down, as announced earlier by parliamentary speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena. In a televised message, Abeywardena said that Rajapaksa has informed him of sending a resignation letter today itself.