Sri Lanka unrest: shoot on sight order issued as troops deployed in Colombo

Fears grow path is being laid for a military takeover, although this was denied by top defence official

Troops and armoured vehicles have been deployed across the city of Colombo and security officials given orders to shoot on sight anyone deemed to be participating in violence as anti-government protests continued to rock Sri Lanka.

The crisis turned volatile earlier this week after pro-government supporters began attacking a camp of peaceful demonstrators who had been protesting against the government and the devastating economic crisis that has engulfed the island of 22 million people.