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Sri Lanka Crisis: PM Quits, Curfew Imposed; Rajapaksa’s Family Home Set Afire by Protesters | Top Developments

Earlier today, Sri Lanka authorities imposed a nationwide curfew and  Army troops were deployed in Colombo as supporters of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa attacked anti-government demonstrators outside embattled President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's office, leaving at least 23 people injured.

Published date india.com Updated: May 10, 2022 12:07 AM IST
email india.com By India.com News Desk email india.com | Edited by Sanstuti Nath email india.com twitter india.com
Sri Lanka Crisis: PM Quits, Curfew Imposed; Rajapaksa’s Family Home Set Afire by Protesters | Top Developments
Mahinda Rajapaksa's residence in Kurunegala set fire (Photo/Twitter)

Colombo: Hours after his supporters attacked anti-government protesters outside president Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s office, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa tendered his resignation and stepped down from his post early on Monday. This comes on a day the Sri Lankan police clamped a nationwide strike as clashes broke out between rival political camp in Colombo, which left at least 76 people injured. For the unversed, Sri Lanka is currently in the throes of the worst economic turmoil since its independence from Britain in 1948. The country is struggling with acute food and electricity shortages, forcing it to seek help from its neighbours. The island nation is unable to buy sufficient fuel and gas, while the people are being deprived of basic amenities as well. The South Asian country is on the brink of bankruptcy and has suspended payments on its foreign loans. Its economic woes have brought on a political crisis, with the government facing widespread protests and a no-confidence motion in Parliament. The recession is attributed to foreign exchange shortages caused by a clampdown on tourism during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sri Lankan PM Mahinda Rajapaksa’s resignation letter

Sri Lanka Economic Crisis: Here Are Top Developments

  1. Authorities have imposed a nationwide curfew from 7 pm today until 7 am on Wednesday.
  2. Shots were fired from Sri Lanka PM’s home, reported AFP. Later police said shots were fired into the air to disperse protestors at Temple Trees. Earlier, PM Mahinda Rajapaksa’s residence in Kurunagala was set on fire. Police fired tear gas to disperse a group of protestors who attempted to forcibly enter Temple Trees (Sri Lankan PM’s residence).
  3. Rajapaksas’ ancestral home in Hambantota was set on fire.
  4. Protestors destroyed DR Rajapaksa monument in Hambanthota.
  5. Anti-government protestors have so far set ablaze houses of several ruling party MPs including Sanath Nishantha’s home in Arachchikattuwa, Mahipala Herath’s home in Kegalle, and Arundika Fernando’s in Kochchikade. Former Minister Nimal Lanza’s home Negombo was also set on fire by protesters.
  6. The houses of Saman Lal Fernando, mayor in the Colombo suburb of Moratuwa, were also set ablaze hours after he took eight busloads of municipal workers to express solidarity with the Rajapaksas.
  7. The office and house of Rajapaksa loyalist Johnston Fernando were set ablaze in the city of Kurunegala, police said, adding that more than a dozen vehicles had gone up in flames. The residence of Kurunagala Mayor Thushara Sanjeewa was also attacked.
  8. In Colombo, three buses used to transport Rajapaksa loyalists were damaged. According to Times Of India report, Police said mobs had also taken over exits from main expressways to target government supporters returning to their provincial towns.
  9. Sri Lankan Police have confirmed that five people have been killed in the ongoing violence in the country, while hundreds of others are injured.
  10. Police said another ruling-party politician (who was not named) opened fire on anti-government protesters in the southern town of Weeraketiya, killing two and wounding five.
  11. As per officials, MP Amarakeerthi Athukorala opened fire and critically wounded two people blocking his car in Nittambuwa. He was later found dead after trying to take refuge in a nearby building.
  12. Sri Lanka’s health minister Prof Channa Jayasumana has also handed over his letter of resignation to the President.
  13. Local television channel Sirasa showed pro-government supporters attacking protesters with clubs and iron bars, demolishing and later burning down their tents.
  14. Individuals who were injured during the clash at Galle Face Green were admitted to the National Hospital in Colombo.
  15. Hundreds of armed soldiers were deployed in Colombo as the protesters made accusations on Sirasa TV that police did not interfere to prevent the attack, despite using tear gas and water cannons on protesters as recently as Friday.
  16. Sirasa TV showed government lawmaker Sanath Nishantha was among the government supporters who attacked the protesters.
  17. The attack came as protesters marked their 31st day outside the president’s and prime minister’s offices. They have been demanding that the president, his older brother Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and other powerful Rajapaksa family members quit. Similar protests have spread to other locations, with people setting up camps opposite the prime minister’s residence and in other towns across the country.
  18. Till now, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has resisted calls to resign, though four Rajapaksas out of the five who were lawmakers stepped down from their Cabinet posts since April.

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