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.”
Houses and property of several former Ministers were set on fire by angry mobs today.
The houses of former Ministers Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, Sanath Nishantha, Nimal Lanza and Kanchana Wijesekera were attacked or set on fire.
The property of other former Ministers were also attacked, including jeeps and cars.
The property came under attack as mobs went on the rampage after peaceful demonstrators in Galle Face were attacked by supporters of former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Several people sustained injuries as supporters of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), armed with poles and other objects, attacked GotaGoGama in Galle Face.
The mob destroyed several tents and other structures erected at Galle Face and also attacked some of the demonstrators.
The ancestral home of Mahinda Rajapaksa and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in Medamulana, Hambantota was set on fire.
A group of protesters set fire to the house today.
Houses and property of several former Ministers were set on fire by angry mobs today.
The houses of former Ministers Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, Sanath Nishantha, Nimal Lanza and Kanchana Wijesekera were attacked or set on fire.
The property of other former Ministers were also attacked, including jeeps and cars.
The property came under attack as mobs went on the rampage after peaceful demonstrators in Galle Face were attacked by supporters of former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.
130 people injured & hospitalized following the tense situation between pro-government and peaceful protestors at MynaGoGama and GotaGoGama protest sites.
A normal Monday morning turned in to a scene of chaos, after pro-government supporters attacked the MynaGoGama protest site near Temple Trees following a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, where he announced he is willing to make any sacrifice for the people.
The meeting at Temple Trees was organized by the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Local Government Members Forum and saw hundreds in attendance.
Following this meeting, the pro-government supporters attacked the MynaGoGama protest site near Temple Trees and dismantled the camp.
Thereafter, they moved to the main protest site in Galle Face known as GotaGoGama and destroyed several tents and assaulted peaceful protestors.
Sri Lanka Police, the Riot Police, Sri Lanka Army and other law enforcement agencies were called in to control the situation and Sri Lanka Police eventually imposed an island wide curfew to control the unrest.
Sri Lanka’s Defence Secretary Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne earnestly requests the general public to support the tri forces and remain calm and exercise restraint.
In a statement, the Defence Ministry said that the tri forces personnel have been called up to assist the police to contain the present situation at the Galle Face and adjacent areas in order to maintain security and ensure public safety.
A ruling party Member of Parliament was killed and property owned by many other Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna politicians were attacked following the violent attacks on peaceful protestors in Colombo’s GotaGoGama and MynaGoGama protests sites on Monday (9).
Following the attacks on the two main protest sites, SLPP Polonnaruwa District MP Amarakeerthi Athukorala’s vehicle was mobbed by a group when it reached Nittambuwa on Monday (9) afternoon.
Following an altercation, shots were fired, and the MP died.
Moreover, a 27-year-old male also died in the shooting, said the Director of the Wathupitiwala Hospital.
Property Attacked :
The offices of Former Minister Johnston Fernando located in Kurunegala and Lillie Street, Colombo was attacked by angry crowds on Monday (9) afternoon.
In addition, a taverns owned by Johnston Fernando was also set on fire.
The Negombo residence of the Former Minister Nimal Lanza was also attacked on Monday (9) afternoon.
The Moratuwa residence of Moratuwa Mayor Saman Lal Fernando was set on fire.
Ruling party Trade Leader Mahinda Kahandagamage’s residence in Vauxhall Street, Colombo was also attacked. He was seen leading the charge on MynaGoGama and GotaGoGama protest sites earlier in the day.
The residence of Walallawita Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Udeni Athukorala was also attacked by an angry crowd.
Meanwhile, the residence of SLPP MP Sanath Nishantha was also set on fire.
Moreover, the Mathugama residence of SLPP MP Anupa Pasqual was attacked on Monday (9) afternoon.
In addition, Ratnapura District SLPP politico Akila Saliya Ellawala’s residence in Balangoda was vandalized.
Violence :
A normal Monday morning turned into a scene of chaos after pro-government supporters attacked the MynaGoGama protest site near Temple Trees following a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, where he announced he is willing to make any sacrifice for the people.
The meeting at Temple Trees was organized by the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Local Government Members Forum and saw hundreds in attendance.
Following this meeting, the pro-government supporters attacked the MynaGoGama protest site near Temple Trees and dismantled the camp.
Thereafter, they moved to the main protest site in Galle Face known as GotaGoGama and destroyed several tents, and assaulted peaceful protestors.
Sri Lanka Police, the Riot Police, Sri Lanka Army, and other law enforcement agencies were called in to control the situation and Sri Lanka Police eventually imposed an island-wide curfew to control the unrest.
On Friday, the Sri Lankan President after a special cabinet meeting declared a state of emergency. This is the second time that an emergency was declared in Sri Lanka in the span of over a month.
The island nation faces its worst economic crisis, since its independence. The economic 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 inflated prices.
Ven. Omalpe Sobhitha Thera yesterday (9) stated that Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa must take responsibility for the attacks that were unleashed on the protestors at the “GotaGoGama” yesterday.
Rajapaksa resigned from the Premiership yesterday.
“The public is peaceful, the Government is terrorist. Mainly, the Prime Minister should be responsible. He brought the mob of people to his house and fed them, and they drank alcohol provided by Government MP Johnston Fernando, and then were directed out,” said the monk while addressing the media yesterday.
Yesterday, supporters of Rajapaksa gathered at the Temple Trees, where they engaged in chants, asking him not to resign. They were addressed by Rajapaksa, inside the 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, belonging to the protestors. Video reports show Government MP Johnston Fernando was at the Temple Trees, allegedly inciting the protestors to violence, whilst video reports show Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna MP Sanath Nishantha forming part of this pro-Government mob, while allegations have also been levelled at Moratuwa Mayor Saman Lal Fernando for transporting busloads of people to be a part of the mob.
Sobitha Thera said that Rajapaksa was hoping to chase away peaceful protestors by using thugs.
“But the other brother (President Gotabaya Rajapaksa) doesn’t get to go scot-free. They are trying to let blood run in Sri Lanka and keep their power. Gotabaya Rajapaksa is allowing his brother to engage in terror attacks. We are not going to let you carry out a rule of terror in this country. The President should also resign as he allowed his brother to do this,” demanded the Thera.
Archbishop of the Colombo Archdiocese Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith yesterday (9) condemned the attacks on the “GotaGoGama” and “MynaGoGama” protest sites, noting that it is shameful that such acts were carried out from Temple Trees, the official residence of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Rajapaksa resigned from the Premiership yesterday.
“Last morning, after a meeting held at the residence of Premier Rajapaksa – the Temple Trees, a mob of people walked into the area of the anti-Government protests and started assaulting the people and breaking down the structures with their thuggery. This is unacceptable,” said the Archbishop while addressing the media yesterday.
“That this happened from the residence of the Prime Minister is a shameful act. That a Prime Minister of a country can let goons out into the streets to destroy peace and harmony is unacceptable.”
On 9 May, supporters of Rajapaksa gathered at Temple Trees, where they engaged in chants, asking him not to resign. They were addressed by Rajapaksa, inside the 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 “Go Home Gota” protestors, setting fire to many structures near the Galle Face Green, belonging to the protestors. Government MP Johnston Fernando was at the Temple Trees, whilst video reports show Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Government MP Sanath Nishantha forming part of this pro-Government mob, while allegations have also been levelled at Moratuwa Mayor Saman Lal Fernando for transporting busloads of people to be a part of the mob.
“They assaulted those at the Galle Face Green and injured a number of them,” said the Archbishop. Reports show that about 130 people were hospitalised.
“The most shameful act was that the Police were folding their hands and waiting, almost as if they were waiting for the thugs and goons to come and attack the peaceful protestors. All of us religious leaders, including the Chief Prelates of the three Sects wish to say that we do not accept this kind of behaviour,” added the Archbishop.
“We would like to ask the Government to not respond in this manner to peaceful protests and we would like to ask those engaged in resistance to not give up and not to engage in retaliatory violence of any sort, and to be peaceful and to protest with dignity.”
