Ukrainians in Sri Lanka protest opposite Foreign Ministry; Call for local support

yCOLOMBO (News 1st); Ukrainians in Sri Lanka once again took to the streets of Colombo on Wednesday (2) to protest against the Russian Invasion.

More than two dozen protestors were seen opposite the Foreign Ministry and the State Ministry of Regional Cooperation in Colombo.

"Please support Ukraine and the Ukrainian people in whatever way you can," said one protestor adding that the people of Sri Lanka must call on their government to impose sanctions on Russia.

During the protest, a representative from the Foreign Ministry noted that Sri Lanka will be assisting Russian and Ukrainian tourists who are in Sri Lanka and are unable to return home.

Fierce fighting is continuing around Mariupol, as Russian and Russian-backed separatist forces have surrounded the southern Ukrainian city of about 400,000 people on three sides.

Residents reported heavy shelling overnight, but Mariupol Mayor Vadym Boychenko said Ukrainian authorities were able to restore some mobile communications despite working as the city was being shelled and shot at.

Mariupol Mayor Vadym Boychenko said early Wednesday that the number of wounded civilians "is growing every day."

The Ukrainian flag has been brought down at the country’s embassy in Moscow, Russian state news agency RIA reported Wednesday.

According to RIA, a sign indicating the building was home to the Ukrainian embassy was also removed and the doors sealed.

The Ukrainian government severed diplomatic ties with Russia on February 24, after Moscow ordered an invasion of the country.