Sunday, November 3, 2024

Sri Lankan soldiers stop mobs from breaking into ex-PM’s house

Sri Lanka’s ex-prime minister left his official residence Tuesday after the army prevented several attempts by anti-government protesters to break in overnight.

• May 10, 2022
Sri Lankan protesters
Sri Lankan protesters [Photo Credit: Arab News]

Sri Lanka’s ex-prime minister left his official residence Tuesday after the army prevented several attempts by anti-government protesters to break in overnight.

Police said the army fired warning shots and used tear gas to keep protesters away from the official residence, known as Temple Trees, in the capital Colombo.

Protesters also completely burnt down more than 70 houses and offices of former ministers and ruling party lawmakers. Over 150 vehicles were also burnt or damaged.

Prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa stepped down on Monday after supporters of the ruling Sri Lanka People’s Front party (SLPP) clashed with protesters in Colombo.

The protesters had been camped outside the office of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa for a month, calling for both the president and prime minister, who are brothers, to resign.

Attacks on anti-government protesters drew widespread outrage against the ruling SLPP politicians and their supporters.

Attacks on their residences, business establishments and vehicles followed.

Police said since Monday, there had been six deaths and more than 200 hospitalisations related to the clashes.

The country’s defence ministry had put a curfew in place and asked people to stay home, with exceptions only for essential workers.

On Tuesday, members of parliament were scheduled to meet and name a new prime minister and cabinet of ministers.

Sri Lanka, an island state of some 22 million people, was facing an economic crisis and shortages of fuel, food and medicine.

The government hoped to restructure the country’s huge debts and was in talks with the International Monetary Fund and seeking further financial help from China and India. 

(dpa/NAN)

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

Abubakar Kyari

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Flood in Spain

World

Woman trapped in car for three days rescued as Spain’s flood deaths hit 211

Rescue workers heard the woman screaming as they towed away cars stuck in a tunnel.

Iran, Israel

World

Iran threatens to retaliate against Israel, U.S. as fighting continues

The danger of a major, open war between Iran and Israel recently increased.

Prof. Amos Utuama (SAN)

States

Gov. Oborevwori mourns Delta’s ex-deputy governor, Utuama

The governor said that Mr Utuama died in Warri in the early hours of Saturday.

UNESCO

States

Stakeholders seek protection, welfare for journalists covering conflicts

Mr Badmos decried the inhuman workplaces and situations journalists work.

Abia state governor, Alex Otti

Politics

ZLP wins 15 chairmanship seats, YPP 2 in Abia LG poll

Mr Chima stated, “I congratulate the winners and the losers too.’’