Sri Lankans flee deadly violence in Colombo as crisis worsens

People gather at the main bus stand to catch a bus before curfew starts, after a clash between anti-government demonstrators and Sri Lanka's ruling party supporters, amid the country's economic crisis, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, May 12. Photo: Reuters

People run at the main bus stand to catch a bus before curfew starts, after a clash between anti-government demonstrators and Sri Lanka's ruling party supporters, amid the country's economic crisis, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, May 12. Photo: Reuters

People try to get into a bus at the main bus stand before curfew starts, after a clash between anti-government demonstrators and Sri Lanka's ruling party supporters, amid the country's economic crisis, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, May 12. Photo: Reuters

Vehicles of Sri Lanka's ruling party supporters are seen in a lake after being pushed into the water during a clash of pro and anti-government demonstrators near the Prime Minister's official residence, amid the country's economic crisis, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, May 10. Photo: Reuters

Premaratne Prathapasinghe, a 62-year-old shopkeeper who rented a store from a local politician linked to former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, shows the damage at his shop, following violent clashes between pro and anti-government factions and police, in Weeraketiya, Sri Lanka, May 11. Photo: Reuters

An over crowded bus leaves the main bus stand before curfew starts, after a clash between anti-government demonstrators and Sri Lanka's ruling party supporters, amid the country's economic crisis, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, May 12. Photo: Reuters

Mahinda Rajapaksa's bedroom is pictured, at a vandalised property that belongs to the former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa's family, following violent clashes between pro and anti-government factions and police, in Weeraketiya, Sri Lanka, May 11. Photo: Reuters

A navy soldier stands guard at a check point as a man walks past him to work place on the main road after the curfew was extended for another extra day following a clash between Anti-government demonstrators and Sri Lanka's ruling party supporters, amid the country's economic crisis, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, May 11. Photo: Reuters

A man looks at a damaged bus of Sri Lanka's ruling party supporters after it was set on fire during a clash of pro and anti-government demonstrators near the Prime Minister's official residence, amid the country's economic crisis, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, May 10. Photo: Reuters

Special Task Force members are seen in front of the Prime Minister's official residence after the government imposed a three-day curfew following clashes between pro and anti-government demonstrators, amid the country's economic crisis, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, May 10. Photo: Reuters

Vehicles of Sri Lanka's ruling party supporters are seen in a lake after being pushed into the water during a clash of pro and anti-government demonstrators near the Prime Minister's official residence, amid the country's economic crisis, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, May 10. Photo: Reuters