'Divided we fall and united we stand strong,' Jayawardene pleads for peace in Sri Lanka

According to former Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene, violence will not bring about the desired change in his country. The former cricketer has called for calm with Sri Lanka's severe economic crisis causing civil unrest.

In a tweet on Tuesday (May 10), Jayawardene wrote, "History has given us lessons of civil war and distrust among people through the race and religious disharmony.

The Lankan legend also explained that violence would not change the situation that the Sri Lankan citizens are seeking. 

"Please, let's not let vested interests take over people's power," appealed Jayawardene.

Several former Sri Lankan cricketers - including Arjuna Ranatunga, Sanath Jayasuriya and Roshan Mahanama - have spoken out and participated actively in the protest. The country is in the midst of its worst economic crisis in decades.

According to Defence Ministry spokesman Nalin Herath, Sri Lanka's armed forces were ordered to shoot at anyone damaging public property or endangering lives on Tuesday.

Earlier in the week, Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned as Prime Minister of the nation after the government imposed a nationwide curfew.

Meanwhile, Cricket Australia is also monitoring the situation in the Island nation ahead of its team's planned trip, in June and July, for a full-fledged tour.