Curfew In Columbo As Sri Lankan PM's Supporters 'Assault' Protesters, At Least 23 Injured
The opposition has accused Sri Lankan PM Mahinda Rajapaksa of instigating his supporters who went on to attack the protestors demanding his resignation.
New Delhi: Supporters of Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on Monday attacked anti-government demonstrators gathered at a protest site near his official residence to demand the premier's resignation. The incident prompted authorities to deploy Army troops to bring the situation under control. According to news agency AFP, At least 23 people were injured in the violence that broke out following reports that Mahinda Rajapksa could offer to stand down as Prime Minister, news agency PTI reported.
Rajapaksa, 76, under intense pressure from within his own Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) ranks to resign, was gathering his supporters to apply counterpressure in his bid to not stand down.
The Prime Minister had told his thousands of supporters gathered outside his house that nothing would deter him. "I am so used to seeing protests and agitations, nothing would deter me. I am experienced enough to face any situation," Rajapaksa said, as quoted by PTI.
Veteran Sri Lankan cricketer Mahela Jayawardene who has been vocally critical of the Rajapaksa government over the current state of his debt-ridden country took to Twitter and condemned the violence against protestors.
"These thugs was assembled at prime minister’s official residence this morning and walked in numbers to assault innocent peaceful anti government protesters.. how can this happen ? Police and others just watching this," he wrote, sharing a video clip posted by local media.
These thugs was assembled at prime minister’s official residence this morning and walked in numbers to assault innocent peaceful anti government protesters.. how can this happen ? Police and others just watching this 😢😢 https://t.co/XnSzE0sIDu
— Mahela Jayawardena (@MahelaJay) May 9, 2022
The 'MainaGoGama' protest site was set up demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. Peaceful protesters had been camped here for 31 days, demanding the resignation of the president.
According to PTI, the police formed a human chain to prevent the protesters from entering 'GotaGoGama'.
However, the mob pushed their way past the police human chain and attacked 'GotaGoGama'. A military contingent was deployed to the protest site to assist law enforcement.
PTI reported that Opposition sources as saying that a group had also attacked Premadasa and his colleagues as he arrived at the presidential secretariat protest site.
The opposition has accused Mahinda Rajapaksa of instigating his supporters. Meanwhile, a curfew was enforced in Colombo with immediate effect after the violence.
Rajapaksa Brothers Urge People To Exercise Restraint
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda appealed to the people on Monday to exercise restraint.
"Strongly condemn the violent acts taking place by those inciting & participating, irrespective of political allegiances. Violence won't solve the current problems. I request all citizens to remain calm & exercise restraint. I urge everyone to work together in solving this crisis," the President wrote in a tweet.
Strongly condemn the violent acts taking place by those inciting & participating,irrespective of political allegiances. Violence won’t solve the current problems.
— Gotabaya Rajapaksa (@GotabayaR) May 9, 2022
I request all citizens to remain calm & exercise restraint. I urge everyone to work together in solving this crisis
The Prime Minister also urged the people to exercise restraint as he tweeted: "While emotions are running high in #lka, I urge our general public to exercise restraint & remember that violence only begets violence. The economic crisis we're in needs an economic solution which this administration is committed to resolving."
While emotions are running high in #lka, I urge our general public to exercise restraint & remember that violence only begets violence. The economic crisis we're in needs an economic solution which this administration is committed to resolving.
— Mahinda Rajapaksa (@PresRajapaksa) May 9, 2022
Sri Lanka Under Emergency For Second Time
In a special Cabinet meeting on Friday, the Sri Lankan President declared a state of emergency with effect from Friday midnight. This is the second time that an emergency was declared in Sri Lanka in just over a month as the island nation faced its worst economic crisis, since its independence from Britain in 1948.
The crisis is caused in part by a lack of foreign currency, which has meant that the country cannot afford to pay for imports of staple foods and fuel, leading to acute shortages and very high prices.
Thousands of demonstrators been protesting in the streets across Sri Lanka since April 9, as the government ran out of money for vital imports. Prices of essential commodities have skyrocketed and there are acute shortages in fuel, medicines and electricity supply.
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