• Mahanayakes say attack a blow to democracy
• ‘State terrorism’, charges Sajith, who was also attacked
• Ranil calls on entire Government to resign 
• #GoHomeGota and #GoHomeRajapaksas will be int’l slogans: Mano Ganesan 
• Gammanpila says oppression will strengthen struggle
• Attacks, an unjust violation of democratic right: Dullas 
• British High Commissioner urges to hold perpetrators accountable 
• US Envoy calls for full Government probe 
• HRCSL says Police failings constitute gross failure of public order
• Sanga and Mahela say thugs and goons of Government responsible  
• BASL warns of grave repercussions due to Govt./Police inaction 
• Medical specialists/FUTA to take trade union action today
• President, PM condemn violence, urge calm

BY Dinitha Rathnayake  After violent altercations took place in Colombo, especially near the two main peaceful protest sites of “GotaGoGama” at Galle Face and “MynaGoGama” in Kollupitiya yesterday (9), where pro-Government supporters attacked the peaceful protestors and sites, several parties, including religious leaders, politicians, diplomats, human rights activists, sportsmen, lawyers, doctors, and academics issued statements condemning the incidents. The Mahanayakas (Chief Prelates) of the Siam, Amarapura, and Ramanna Sects have condemned the violent attacks on peaceful protestors. In a statement issued in this regard, the Chief Prelates said that the attacks on peaceful protestors are a blow to democracy and humanity at large. The monks called on the Police and other agencies to strictly enforce the law against all those responsible. Opposition and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Leader Sajith Premadasa who was attacked upon his arrival at the Galle Face Green protest site also condemned the attacks.  “I was also attacked by the supporters of the Government. This is state terrorism. For more than a month, no illegal actions or discipline-related issues were reported from the protesters, who resisted in a very civilised and non-violent manner. The Government has made its own vicious threat of terrorism against such non-violent activists.” Former Prime Minister and incumbent Leader of the United National Party MP Ranil Wickremesinghe, also releasing a statement in this regard, said: “We had a duty to protect ‘GotaGoGama’. Young people also expressed their opposition democratically. That is something we must all accept. The response we all gave together was not enough. I wanted to make that difference. We weren’t really that fast; we have to admit that mistake. There is no law and order in the country today. I declare here that not only the Prime Minister, but the entire Government should resign.” Tamil Progressive Alliance Leader and SJB MP Mano Ganesan said in a Tweet that the 31-day-old (as of 8 May) protest at Galle Face in Colombo, which was one of the world’s most peaceful protests, was attacked by state terrorist thugs who came from the Temple Trees, the official residence of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, and that #GoHomeGota and #GoHomeRajapaksas shall be slogans among not only Sri Lankans, but of the international community too. Mahinda Rajapaksa has since resigned from the Premiership.  Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) Leader and MP Udaya Gammanpila, in a Tweet said: “We strongly denounce the state terrorism which brutally attacked the peaceful protestors. This kind of oppression would further strengthen the people’s struggle.” MP Dullas Alahapperuma said: “I vehemently condemn the violence unleashed upon peaceful protesters today. It is an unjust violation of their democratic right to exercise free speech and assembly. Perpetrators responsible for this cowardly act must be brought to justice.” Meanwhile, several diplomats also condemned the attacks. British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Sarah Hulton condemned the violence reported in Colombo yesterday. She Tweeted: “Strongly condemn the violence against peaceful protestors today. The authorities have a responsibility to safeguard the citizens’ rights to protest peacefully and to hold the perpetrators of violence to account.” US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie J. Chung has condemned the violence in Colombo. In a Tweet, she said: “We condemn the violence against peaceful protestors today, and call on the Government to conduct a full investigation, including the arrest and prosecution of anyone who incited violence. Our sympathies are with those injured today and we urge calm and restraint across the island.” The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) also condemned the violence directed at peaceful protests by a group of people who made it very clear that violence was their intention. The failure of the Police to prepare for this eventuality and to prevent and manage the violence and destruction is a gross failure of public order, said the HRCSL. “There must be an immediate inquiry into this matter. The inaction of the Police to prevent the clash is condemned,” it added. Meanwhile, former Sri Lanka Cricketers Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardena condemned the attacks on peaceful protesters, and Sangakkara said that peaceful protestors demanding their basic needs and rights were attacked by despicable thugs and goons backed by the thugs and goons in the Government.  “Disgusting. This is State-backed violence. Intentional and planned,” he Tweeted. Jayawardena also Tweeted: “Disgusting act by the ruling Government-backed thugs attacking peaceful protesters. The entire world can see how pathetic your actions are. Where is law and order? What is the Police doing? You are supposed to serve and protect the innocent.”  The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) called for immediate action by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Police to prevent protesters from being attacked. The BASL had received reports of a gang of persons armed with poles and clubs marching from the Temple Trees towards Galle Face.  “They have attacked anti-Government protesters opposite the Temple Trees. There will be grave repercussions by the inaction of the Government and the Police to deal with this situation,” read the statement issued by BASL President Saliya Pieris PC. The Executive Committee of the Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) condemned the state-sponsored barbaric attack on peaceful protesters at “MynaGoGama” opposite the Temple Trees and “GotaGoGama” at Galle Face, and said: “We are surprised to witness such a disorderly event not only in the presence of hundreds of law enforcement authorities but also while emergency regulations are in force.”  “Therefore, the AMS has decided to engage in islandwide trade union action today (10) as a mark of protest and anger. We will not attend to private or public patients except in emergency situations,” they added. The Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) announced an immediate strike until further notice, stating: “By this trade union action, in solidarity with other trade unions, we demand immediate legal action against those who are responsible for attacking peaceful protestors, the withdrawal of the emergency law and ensuring the safety of protestors, especially university students.” President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has also condemned the acts of violence that had occurred in Colombo yesterday, stating that he strongly condemns the violent acts taking place by those inciting and participating in such, irrespective of political allegiances. In a Twitter message, he further said that violence would not solve the current problems.  “I request all citizens to remain calm and exercise restraint. I urge everyone to work together in solving this crisis,” he concluded. Former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has similarly urged the public to exercise restraint, stating that violence only begets violence. Issuing a statement in this regard, he further said that the economic crisis currently faced by Sri Lanka needs an economic solution that the administration is committed to resolving.