News and images of #GotaGoHome protests around Sri Lanka
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By Sri Lanka Brief-
Police broke our legs and assaulted says detained protestors in this video ( In Sinhala)-----------
Mirihana Protest : Protesters are not terrorists – HRCSL
They can only be arrested under the Public Property Act, the Commission said.
The HRCSL stressed that the protest cannot be classified as an act of terrorism and the only damage caused was to public property.
Meanwhile, a special team of officers from the HRCSL has visited the Mirihana Police to investigate the arrests made in connection with the incident, with the aim of monitoring the safety of the arrestees and whether they have been tortured while in police custody.
Police Media Spokesman Senior DIG Ajith Rohana held a special press conference today to address the public protest that was held in Mirihana last night against President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Questions were raised on a number of incidents that had occurred during the protest, including the detention and assault of several protesters and journalists.
Here are five updates from Senior DIG Ajith Rohana’s special media briefing:
- No decision has been taken so far to impose a curfew on Sunday, the 3rd of April.
- Investigations into the Mirihana protest incident have been handed over to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).
- The damage to the vehicles and property following yesterday’s protest has been estimated at Rs 39 million.
- A total of 53 protesters have been arrested, while 24 Police officers were injured, including 18 STF personnel.
- Suspects arrested during clashes at Mirihana yesterday will not be charged under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and will, instead, be charged under the Penal Code and/or the Offences against Public Property Act. (NewsWire)
Government Press conference:
Government Ministers Prasanna Ranatunga, Dilum Amunugama, and Keheliya Rambukwella held a special media briefing today to address the public protest that was held in front of the President’s private house in Mirihana last night.
Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga confirmed that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was inside his residence during the time of the protest. Minister Ranatunga said the President had been inside his house under special protection.
He further clarified the statement by the President’s Office on the protest, which claimed that the protest had become unruly due to “extremist groups”.
Referring to the word ‘Extremist’, Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said that the Government had not referred to religious extremists. Meanwhile, Minister of Transportation Dilum Amunugama also said that the word “Extremist’ may have been wrongly used.
He said, instead, that It should have been addressed as ‘Terrorists’, explaining that only terrorists set fire to vehicles, etc.
When inquired if there are terrorists in the country even after the conclusion of the war, Minister Amunugama said there were terrorists in the country and should be addressed.
The detention of journalists who were engaged in duty during the public protest was also raised at the media briefing.
Commenting on the matter, Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella said the arrests of journalists are unacceptable, but cannot be prevented during such unfortunate events.
He, however, assured that the media rights of journalists will be protected during such unfortunate situations.
When inquired if the military will be deployed in the future following the public protest, the Minister said it depends on the requirements of national security.(NewsWire)
The Matara- Colombo Road has been completely blocked in Galle due to a protest.
The protest is being staged in Galle Town by a group of fishermen.
Earlier today, Galle Road was blocked near Kurusa Junction in Moratuwa.
A group of Carpenters had engaged in a protest to voice their anguish over soaring prices of commodities ( News Wire)
People of Nuwara Eliya rallied up to stop the April Season opening ceremony held near Lake gregory. And gathered around Carlton Pre school which is directed by Shiranthi Rajapaksha.
A huge number of lawyers are currently at the Mirihana Police station to assist the protestors who were arrested by Mr Despot and team. ( 01 April 2022)
Here are some eye-catching photos of the so called “extremists” who arrived at the #GotaGoHome protest yesterday.
People both sides of Mirihana Road had left water basins for the tear gas-stained people to wash their faces. Elderly people took with people who had been exposed to tear gas inside the houses.
There were people wiping the glass on the road saying that the legs of the protesting people would be injured. The Uber & Pickme tuk-tuk boys came to take people home. Most of the mothers and daughters had came in in their home dresses. In some homes, hoses from the upper floors are used to flush the street with water against tear gas. The women on both sides of the village road were the first to tell the police to join hands with people and bowed down pleading them not to assault. (Translation of a FB post of Kasun Pussewela)
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Today (1st) People’s Protests at;
3.30pm – Outside Law Fac, UoC, Reid Avenue
4pm – Opposite bus-stand, Negombo
6.30pm – Near Buddha statue, VMD Park
6.30pm – Old bus stand, Bandaragama
7pm – Wijerama junc, Nugegoda
7.30pm – Kohuwela junc
Stones hurled at Moratuwa Mayor’s residence
Stones have been hurled at the residence of the Mayor of the Moratuwa Municipal Council Samanlal Fernando.
The public had carried out a protest in front of the Mayor’s residence in Moratuwa.
The public is engaged in the protest to voice their anguish over the soaring prices of commodities.
A tense situation was reported this evening after the protesters had pelted stones at the Mayor’s house.
According to reports, the Police have been called in to control the situation. (NewsWire)
The photo of the day on 31 March night #GotaGoHome protest at Mirihana
Former Sri Lankan cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya has called on the public to unite as ‘one people’ and stand up for a better nation.
In a post shared on social media, Jayasuriya urged the public not to be divided by race, religion, caste, or party politics.
The former batting legend issued the following statement while commenting on last night’s public protest in Mirihana.
Statement:
During the past month we SRI LANKANS have suffered together silently. Everything and Everyone has a breaking point. We have reached that point.Yesterday’s protests were a result of innocent people’s suffering and unfair oppression.
Let us never be divided on race religion caste or party politics let’s unite as ONE PEOPLE and Stand up for ourselves, our Children and the future generations to come
#WakeUpSriLanka
It’s about us and not them
Protest peacefully, don’t damage public Property and please don’t hurt your fellow brother or sister. This is not about Rioting. It’s about taking a stand for what is right. (NewsWire)
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