General
Sri Lanka under curfew as Prime Minister’s supporters clash with protestors
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka has imposed a nation-wide curfew police said as supporters of Prime Minister Gotabaya Rajapaksa attacked protestors asking for President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to resign leaving several persons injured.
Supporters of Prime Minister Rajapaksa swarmed to the main protest site against the government after leaving his official residence nearby.
Rajapaksa who is under pressure to resign said he was ready to make sacrifices to help the country.
The supporters first attacked a site in front of the Prime Minister’s residence broke through a police cordon and entered the protest site burning tents and attacking anti-government protestors who were camped their for more than a month.
Police fired tear gas and water cannon to disperse crowd.
“Strongly condemn the violent acts taking place by those inciting & participating,irrespective of political allegiances. Violence won’t solve the current problems,” President Gotabya Rajapaksa said.
“I request all citizens to remain calm & exercise restraint. I urge everyone to work together in solving this crisis.”
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— Gotabaya Rajapaksa (@GotabayaR) May 9, 2022
Opposition legislator Eran Wickremaratne said the President should bear responsibility.
The President should accept the responsibility for this violence instigated by the Prime Minister! You cannot chase us from standing with our people. #GoHomeRajapaksas #GoHomGota #LKA pic.twitter.com/EuRNuSAhx8
— Eran Wickramaratne (@EranWick) May 9, 2022
Sri Lanka imposed a ‘state of emergency on Friday as thousands of trade unions launched a one-day hartal against the government, demanding they step down for their mismanagement and corruption.
(Colombo/May09/2022)
