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IUSF protestors tear gassed, water cannoned

20 May 2022

  • Court order prevents entry to areas in Colombo Fort 
  • Demands justice for attacks on 9 May protestors, Prez's resignation 
Sri Lanka Police fired tear gas and water cannons at the Inter University Students’ Federation (IUSF) engaged in a protest march in Colombo yesterday (19), reiterating the demand for the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, and seeking justice for the planned attacks that were carried out on peaceful protestors on 9 May at the “MynaGoGama” near Temple Trees and the “GotaGoGama” at Galle Face. The protest was reportedly met with a court order, ordering the IUSF to not enter the Janadhipathi Mawatha, the Bank of Ceylon Mawatha, Chatham Street, and York Street. However, video reports show IUSF protestors chasing away police officers who came to hand over this order to them yesterday. “This struggle is at a decisive point now. The Government cannot ignore the planned attack that was carried out on peaceful protestors on 9 May. Instead of Rajapaksa going home, United National Party Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe intervened to solidify Rajapaksa’s power by becoming Prime Minister. Our main demand remains that the President must go home,” stressed IUSF Convener Wasantha Mudalige on Wednesday (18) at a media briefing.  The protest march commenced from the Nelum Pokuna Theatre in Colombo at 11 a.m. yesterday.  “People’s problems still remain. They cannot eat three meals a day, do their work, or get their fuel. But the Narahenpita Police fuel station is pumping petrol for MPs,” charged Mudalige. This was, however, halted yesterday, following opposition to the move.   Commenting on the arrests following the unrest on 9 May, Mudalige noted that while more than 400 youths were arrested, the “biggest brains behind the violence are not being arrested”.  “The President, former Premier Mahinda Rajapaksa, and Defence Secretary Gen. (Retd.) Kamal Gunaratne were the big brains behind this,” he alleged.  On 9 May, supporters of former Premier Mahinda Rajapaksa gathered at Temple Trees, where they engaged in chants, asking him not to resign. They were addressed by Rajapaksa, inside Temple Trees. Following this, the crowd assaulted the protestors outside the Temple Trees, at “MynaGoGama”, where people were engaged in a days-long struggle, demanding his resignation. The crowd then moved towards “GotaGoGama”, where they assaulted anti-Government protestors, setting fire to many structures near Galle Face Green that belonged to the protestors.  Former Ministers Johnston Fernando and Namal Rajapaksa were at the Temple Trees, whilst video reports show Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Sanath Nishantha forming part of this pro-Government mob, and allegations have also been levelled at Moratuwa Mayor Saman Lal Fernando for transporting busloads of people to be a part of the mob. Photographs have also emerged of Nishantha and Western Province Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Tennakoon being together at Galle Face Green during the assaults. 


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