In response to media queries on developments in Sri Lanka, the official spokesperson of Ministry of External Affairs said in New Delhi: “India will always be guided by the best interests of the people of Sri Lanka expressed through democratic processes.”
“As a close neighbor of Sri Lanka, with historical ties, India is fully supportive of Sri Lanka’s democracy, stability and economic recovery.”
“In keeping with our Neighborhood First policy, India has extended this year alone support worth over US$ 3.5 billion to the people of Sri Lanka for helping them overcome their current difficulties. In addition, the people of India have provided assistance for mitigating the shortages of essential items such as food, medicine etc.”
“India will always be guided by the best interests of the people of Sri Lanka expressed through democratic processes.”
Protests were held yesterday (10) in front of the Trincomalee Naval Base, where former Prime Minister and incumbent Government MP Mahinda Rajapaksa is reportedly staying, along with a number of his family members.
Video reports also show a helicopter, reportedly belonging to the Sri Lanka Air Force, being boarded by a few people at the Police Field Headquarters. Reports claim that it was boarded by Rajapaksa’s third son, Rohitha Rajapaksa, and the latter’s wife and children. Claims also state that other family members, including Chamal Rajapaksa and Basil Rajapaksa, are also at the Trincomalee Navy Base.
“Give our money back. Do not protect thieves. They are all murderers,” the protestors chanted in front of the Naval Base, yesterday.
Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son, Government MP Namal Rajapaksa, however, told AFP yesterday that Mahinda Rajapaksa will not flee the country.
Mahinda Rajapaksa’s second son and former Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff Yoshitha Rajapaksa and his wife had reportedly left the country early on Monday morning. Some reports claim that they had landed in Melbourne, Australia, yesterday.
Meanwhile, protests continued into the early hours of the morning in front of Rajapaksa’s former residence, the Temple Trees yesterday, from Monday (9). Video reports show a back gate of Temple Trees being rammed in by protestors and set on fire, with Police firing into the air to disperse them. Protestors were dispersed early yesterday morning, following which Rajapaksa had reportedly left the Temple Trees.
Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned from the Premiership on Monday, but calls for his arrest have started, with Tamil National Alliance Spokesman M.A. Sumanthiran PC stating that Rajapaksa should be held accountable for inciting violence.
On Monday, supporters of then-Premier Mahinda Rajapaksa gathered at the Temple Trees, where they engaged in chants, asking him not to resign. They were addressed by Rajapaksa, inside Temple Trees. Following this, the crowd assaulted the protestors outside the Temple Trees, at “MynaGoGama”, where they were engaged in a days-long struggle, demanding his resignation. The crowd then moved towards “GotaGoGama”, where they assaulted anti-Government protestors, setting fire to many structures near the Galle Face Green that belonged to the protestors.
In retaliation, the homes of several MPs have been burnt around the island, including Medamulana, which the Rajapaksa family has named as their ancestral home in Hambantota.
Rights group, Human Rights Watch says the government should uphold the right to peaceful protest and promptly investigate and prosecute persons who were involved in violent acts yesterday.
Issuing a statement following yesterday’s incidents in Colombo and across Sri Lanka, HRW said the government should ensure that security force response to public disorder is proportionate.
South Asia Director at Human Rights Watch Meenakshi Ganguly said the attacks on peaceful protesters by government supporters have sparked a dangerous escalation, increasing the risk of further deadly violence and other abuses.
She added, “It is vitally important for the security forces to fully respect the right to peaceful assembly, and for those responsible for violence to be held to account. Pro-government supporters have responded to those calls with violence, which those in authority need to stop.”
GotaGoHome, set up at Galle Face, which was destroyed by pro-Rajapaksa supporters yesterday (9) has been re-established.
A group of supporters of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna yesterday lashed out at anti-government protesters.
Unrest and violence were reported from across the country following clashes that broke out outside the Temple Trees last morning. Pro-Rajapaksa protesters following a gathering at the Temple Trees began breaking down the structures that were set up during the past few days outside the Temple Trees by anti-government protesters.
They then began clashing with the peaceful protesters which led to several individuals sustaining injuries. The structures were also set alight by the pro-government protesters.
The pro-Rajapaksa group then proceeded to march towards the Galle Face Green where they destroyed the structures set up there as well.
Protesters claim that they will maintain GotaGoHome until President Gotabaya Rajapaksa steps down.
Civil activists, actors and several others held a media briefing last evening at GotaGoHome.
Actor Jagath Manuwara said the public is demanding a peaceful country, yet charged that the government instigated protests. He said the people took to the streets against such violence.
Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena has requested President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to summon Parliament immediately.
He made the request in light of the mob violence reported around the country.
Parliament was scheduled to originally meet on 17th May.
However, with violence breaking out across the country yesterday and today and also with Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigning, the Speaker has requested the President to summon Parliament for an urgent session.
Former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has left the Temple Trees early this morning (April 10), Ada Derana learns.
He had tendered his letter of resignation from the prime minister portfolio, to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday.
The resignation of Rajapaksa came after tensions erupted across the island yesterday (May 09) after a brutal attack was unleased on peaceful protesters camped outside the Temple Trees and the GotaGoGama protest site at Galle Face Green by a mob of pro-government supporters.
The resignation of Mahinda Rajapaksa was notified in a Gazette Extraordinary published last night, under the directives of the President.
Following the brazen attack by the mobs, the anti-government protesters camped outside the Temple Trees again last night.
The police had fired several rounds of tear gas to disperse the crowd attempting to enter the Temple Trees through the heavily guarded entrance.
The United States is watching the ongoing developments in Sri Lanka very closely, the U.S. Department of State said Monday following the resignation of Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa amidst the violent attacks on peaceful protesters who were demanding the resignation of the President and the Prime Minister.
Responding to media queries State Department Spokesperson Ned Price at the Department Press Briefing on Monday, condemned the violence against peaceful protesters, and called on the government for a full investigation, arrests and prosecutions of anyone involved.
The State Department Spokesperson urged the government to work quickly to identify and implement solutions to achieve long-term economic stability and address the Sri Lankan people’s discontent over the worsening economic conditions, including power, food, and medicine shortages as well.
“We condemn violence against peaceful protesters, and call for a full investigation, arrests and prosecutions of anyone involved. We are also concerned with the state of emergency declarations which can be used to curb dissent. So we’re continuing to watch this very closely,” the Spokesperson said.
Following the resignation of Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa Monday, a pro-government mob armed with clubs unleashed violent attacks on the people peacefully protesting for a month demanding the resignation of the President and the Prime Minister. The violence left five people including a ruling party lawmaker and a policeman dead and 190 injured.
The island nation is facing its worst economic crisis since its independence and thousands of Sri Lankans have peacefully protested for over a month against the shortages of food, fuel, medicine and other essentials.
The D.R. Rajapaksa memorial in Madamulana, Hambanthota has been destroyed by protestors, reports say.
Earlier, President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka had stated, “The BASL will take every possible step to ensure that people who launched today’s violence at Galle Face will dealt with according to law. We appeal to the people to remain calm until then.”
