According to Defense Ministry spokesman Nalin Herath, any anyone harming public property or threatening life has been ordered to be shot.

Anti-government protesters in Sri Lanka set up a checkpoint on the road leading to the Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo on Tuesday to prevent Rajapaksa family loyalists from fleeing the country.

This happens as violence and widespread protests against the regime over the country’s worst economic crisis in decades continues.

Meanwhile, a demonstration erupted in front of Sri Lanka’s Trincomalee Naval Base.

Allegations occur that former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and several of his family members had arrived after leaving their official residence in Colombo.

Trincomalee is a port city on Sri Lanka’s northeast coast.

Even when a throng attempted to enter Rajapaksa’s official Temple Trees mansion early Tuesday morning, he left.

Supporters of former Prime Minister Rajapaksa attacked nonviolent anti-government protestors demanding his resignation over the country’s greatest economic crisis.

It resulted in severe shortages of staple foods, petrol, and electricity.

The subsequent conflict claimed the lives of eight persons.