Violent protests force former Lankan PM Mahinda Rajapaksa to take shelter in naval base: Reports

Colombo [Sri Lanka], May 10 (ANI): Former Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and some of his family members have been shifted to Trincomalee Naval Base, a day after he resigned following violent protests that led to a nationwide curfew.

A protest has begun in front of the Trincomalee Naval Base after reports emerged that Mahinda Rajapaksa and some of his family members are present thereafter leaving Temple Trees today morning, the Daily Mirror newspaper reported. Colombo Gazette reported that helicopters were seen leaving the capital city today with VVIPs and some speculated that they were members of the Rajapaksa family.

Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned as Sri Lanka’s prime minister on Monday as violent protests broke out, and a nationwide curfew was imposed until Wednesday. It was reported that seven people have died with over 200 others injured due to the violent situation in Colombo on Monday, and the police have been tasked to conduct an investigation into it.

On the same day, Mahinda Rajapaksa’s residence in the city of Kurunegala in the north-western province was set on fire on Monday, hours after the leader tendered his resignation to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Today, Sri Lanka’s Speaker of Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena asked President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to reconvene the Parliament and to find a solution to the political instability in the South Asian country.

Abeywardena said the Parliament must be convened immediately to appoint a new prime minister and a cabinet of ministers. He said a meeting of political party leaders is to be held at the parliament complex on May 11. The speaker last week suspended parliamentary sessions till May 17 as protesters gathered outside the parliament building calling on legislators to find a solution to the ongoing economic crisis.

Sri Lankan army chief denies armed forces poised to shoot at general public

Sri Lankan Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army, General Shavendra Silva on Tuesday refuted allegations that the armed forces are poised to shoot at the general public to provoke them.

The allegations were levelled by Duminda Nagamuwa of the Frontline Socialist Party, reported Daily Mirror Online. Gen Shavendra Silva, while rejecting the statement, assured that the members of the armed forces would not resort to any such disgraceful acts under any circumstances. It was reported in the media that Silva owes his position to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and he might use the army against the people.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka tri forces have been ordered to shoot all those who plunder public property or cause personal harm, local media reported on Tuesday as large-scale protests continue to take place across the island nation. This comes after nationwide protests against the government have intensified over the past few days resulting in an increase in incidents of clashes with the security forces deployed at protest sites.

“The Ministry of Defence has ordered the tri-forces to open fire on anyone looting public property or causing harm to others,” Army Spokesman told Daily Mirror. Protesters, who have resorted to burning houses of Minsters and MP, have been identified.

Anti-government protesters also set on fire the official residences of Sri Lanka’s Moratuwa Mayor Saman Lal Fernando and the MPs Sanath Nishantha, Ramesh Pathirana, Mahipala Herath, Thissa Kuttiarachchi and Nimal Lanza. A large number of protesters were out on the streets and attacked the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna MPs. Even some Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) offices were set ablaze, Daily Mirror reported.

Former Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and some of his family members have been shifted to Trincomalee Naval Base, a day after he resigned following violent protests that led to a nationwide curfew. Helicopters were seen leaving the capital city today with VVIPs and some speculated that they were members of the Rajapaksa family, Colombo Gazette reported. (ANI)

Indian High Commission denies rumours about Lankan political persons, their families fleeing to India

Colombo [Sri Lanka], May 10 (ANI): India on Tuesday denied rumors circulating in sections of media and social media that certain Sri Lankan political persons and their families have fled to India. “High Commission has recently noticed rumours circulating in sections of media & social media that certain political persons and their families have fled to India. These are fake and blatantly false reports, devoid of any truth or substance. The High Commission strongly denies them,” Indian High Commission said in a tweet.

In view of the current situation in Sri Lanka, India earlier today said it is fully supportive of the democracy, stability, and economic recovery of the island nation. “As a close neighbor of Sri Lanka, with historical ties, India is fully supportive of its democracy, stability, and economic recovery,” said External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi in response to media queries on developments in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka on Tuesday ordered the country’s armed forces to open fire on anyone looting public property or causing harm to others following a day of violent clashes. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa also urged people to remain calm, and refrain from violence and acts of revenge against others.
A number of violent incidents have been reported in the country after pro-government groups clashed with anti-government protesters on Monday, leaving eight people dead and over 200 injured.

A nationwide curfew was imposed from Monday until Wednesday and the military was deployed to maintain law and order. Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned as Sri Lanka’s PM on Monday as violent protests broke out. (ANI)