Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka MP, ex-minister's houses set ablaze by protesters
Colombo/IBNS: The houses of a Sri Lankan legislator and a former minister were set ablaze on Monday evening in the biggest clashes in weeks of anti-government protests in the island nation.
Former Minister Johnston Fernando's residence in Mount Lavinia and the house of MP Sanath Nishantha were attacked by the protesters and set on fire.
Video footage from the scene showed plumes of smoke filling up the air.
Thousands of people took to the streets across the curfew-bound island on Monday and targeted supporters of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, who then tendered his resignation.
Effective immediately I have tendered my resignation as Prime Minister to the President.
— Mahinda Rajapaksa (@PresRajapaksa) May 9, 2022
අගමැති ධූරයෙන් ඉල්ලා අස්වීමේ ලිපිය ජනාධිපතිතුමා වෙත යොමු කළෙමි.
His resignation came at a time when an islandwide curfew has been imposed after pro-government supporters clashed with anti-government supporters in Colombo and several other parts of the country.
The curfew was imposed by the police in Sri Lanka on Monday after tension arose following clashes between protesters in Colombo.
On Monday morning, pro-government protesters held a demonstration opposite the Temple Trees, the official residence of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa asking him not to resign.
Following their meeting with the Prime Minister, they clashed with anti-government protesters near the Temple Trees.
At least 16 people who sustained injuries have been admitted to the Colombo National Hospital.
Sri Lanka has been plunged in weeks of economic crisis stemming from a foreign exchange shortage which has led to shortages in essential supplies such as fuel, food and medicines.
Protests have been ongoing for days calling on the government and lawmakers to find urgent solutions.
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