The Malwana Residence belived to be owned by Ex-Minister Basil Rajapaksa was sent on fire by a group on Tuesday (10) afternoon.
News 1st correspondents said that protestors first hurled stones as the residence and then breached the premises.
It is reported that the Police Special Task Force was called in to control the situation
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres wants Sri Lankans to find a solution through dialogue to the crisis in their country, whose Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned amid violent clashes spurred by an economic crisis, his Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq said on Monday.
“We continue to encourage all Sri Lankan stakeholders to find a solution to the current challenges through dialogue and with the interests of the country and the people in mind,” Haq said.
Mahinda Rajapaksa turned in his resignation to his brother, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, as the nation was rocked by clashes between the supporters of the Rajapaksa family and its opponents, and by police, attempts to contain the protests.
Gotabaya Rajapaksa placed the island nation under curfew.
“We’ve also been concerned about the recent violence against peaceful protesters, and we urge calm and restraint, as well as respect for democratic rights, including the right… the freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly,” Haq said.
A member of parliament from the ruling party, Amarakeerthi Athukorala, was found dead after he fired into a crowd of protesters blocking his way and fled the place.
About 200 people were reported injured in the clashes around the country, including in front of the President’s residence.
Sri Lanka is in dire economic straits caused by foreign exchange shortages.
It has sought financial arrangements with India and Bangladesh to import vital food supplies and oil to make up for shortages that have fuelled the protests.
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.
Angry Sri Lankans have attacked a number homes and other property owned by ruling party Ministers, MPs, and even local government members.
The residences and property of the following SLPP politicians were attacked on Monday (9).
Ex-Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa (Carlton House in Weeraketiya & Medamulana Walawwa)
Rajapaksa Family (D. A. Rajapaksa Museum and memorials attacked / destroyed)
Ex-Minister Vidura Wickramanayake
Ex-Minister Shehan Semansinghe (Residence)
Ex-Deputy Speaker Ranjith Siyambalapitiya (Residence)
Ex-Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena (Office in Kalutara)
Ex-Minister Johnston Fernando (Offices in Kurunegala & Lillie Street, Colombo)
Ex-Minister Nimal Lanza (Residence in Negombo)
Ex-Minister Bandula Gunawardena (Residence in Nugegoda)
Ex-Minister (Dr.) Ramesh Pathirana (Residence in Galle)
Ex-Minister Arundhika Fernando (Residence in Wennappuwa)
Ex-Minister (Professor) Channa Jayasumana (Residence in Anuradhapura)
MP Prasanna Ranatunga (Residence in Udugampola)
MP Duminda Dissanayake (Residence)
MP S. M. Chandrasena (Residence)
MP Nuwan Athukorala (Residence)
MP Sahan Pradeep (Residence in Kadawatha)
MP Siripala Gamlath (Residence in Polonnaruwa)
MP Kokila Gunawardena (Residence in Meerigama)
MP Tissa Kutti Arachchi (Residence in Bandarawela)
MP Chinthaka Mayadunne (Residence & Office in Puttlam)
MP Anuradha Jayaratne (Office in Gampola)
MP Gunapala Rathnasekara (Residence in Kurunegala)
MP Santha Nishantha (Residence)
MP Anupa Pasqual (Residence in Mathugama)
MP Akila Saliya Ellawala (Residence in Balangoda)
Moratuwa Mayor Saman Lal Fernando (Residence)
Chairman of the Attanagalle Pradeshiya Sabha (Residence)
Chairman of the Kotikawatte – Mulleriya Pradeshiya Sabha (Residence)
Chairman of the Walallawita Pradeshiya Sabha (Residence)
Chairman of the Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha (Residence)
Mayor of Horana (Residence)
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.
