The Sri Lankan army warned that troops were “legitimately empowered to exercise their force,” after it claimed two rifles were snatched from soldiers by protestors on Wednesday.

Referring to protests that broke out across Colombo yesterday, the army released an official statement claiming that demonstrators “resorted to violence” outside Sri Lanka’s parliament complex and by the Speaker’s official residence.

“Unruly protesting mobs, unresponsive to repeated appeals of Army personnel, trying to forcibly enter the Parliament complex aggressively went on harassing and attacking the troops on duty using clubs, iron rods, stones, helmets, etc,” the statement claimed.

It went on to add that two T-56 rifles were “snatched” from troops whilst two soldiers have reportedly been admitted to hospital with injuries.

“Army personnel along with Policemen, not deterred by their cycle of violence brought the situation under control,” the military added, stating it used “minimum force”.

However, in a stark conclusion, it warned protestors to “desist from all forms of violence immediately or be prepared to face consequences”.

“Members of the Armed Forces are legitimately empowered to exercise their force, if the situation deems necessary,” the military declared.

Amidst the protests yesterday, at least one person was killed and several dozen injured.

Sri Lanka’s army, one of the largest in the region per capita, is accused of a host of rights abuses including the genocide of tens of thousands of Tamils in 2009.