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Archbishop condemns attacks on peaceful protests 

10 May 2022

  • Says shameful that attacks orchestrated from Temple Trees
  • Slams Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Police 
  • Urges protestors to continue struggle and be non-violent 
Archbishop of the Colombo Archdiocese Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith yesterday (9) condemned the attacks on the “GotaGoGama” and “MynaGoGama” protest sites, noting that it is shameful that such acts were carried out from Temple Trees, the official residence of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.  Rajapaksa resigned from the Premiership yesterday.  “Last morning, after a meeting held at the residence of Premier Rajapaksa – the Temple Trees, a mob of people walked into the area of the anti-Government protests and started assaulting the people and breaking down the structures with their thuggery. This is unacceptable,” said the Archbishop while addressing the media yesterday.  “That this happened from the residence of the Prime Minister is a shameful act. That a Prime Minister of a country can let goons out into the streets to destroy peace and harmony is unacceptable.” On 9 May, supporters of Rajapaksa gathered at Temple Trees, where they engaged in chants, asking him not to resign. They were addressed by Rajapaksa, inside the Temple Trees. Following this, the crowd assaulted the protestors outside the Temple Trees, at “MynaGoGama”, where they were engaged in a days-long struggle, demanding his resignation.  The crowd then moved towards GotaGoGama, where they assaulted “Go Home Gota” protestors, setting fire to many structures near the Galle Face Green, belonging to the protestors. Government MP Johnston Fernando was at the Temple Trees, whilst video reports show Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Government MP Sanath Nishantha forming part of this pro-Government mob, while allegations have also been levelled at Moratuwa Mayor Saman Lal Fernando for transporting busloads of people to be a part of the mob.  “They assaulted those at the Galle Face Green and injured a number of them,” said the Archbishop. Reports show that about 130 people were hospitalised.  “The most shameful act was that the Police were folding their hands and waiting, almost as if they were waiting for the thugs and goons to come and attack the peaceful protestors. All of us religious leaders, including the Chief Prelates of the three Sects wish to say that we do not accept this kind of behaviour,” added the Archbishop. “We would like to ask the Government to not respond in this manner to peaceful protests and we would like to ask those engaged in resistance to not give up and not to engage in retaliatory violence of any sort, and to be peaceful and to protest with dignity.”


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