Mahinda Rajapaksa
Sri Lanka: Protest outside naval base amid reports of ex-PM's presence
Colombo: Tension prevailed in the Island Nation as a protest was held on Tuesday in front of Sri Lanka's Trincomalee Naval Base headquarters after reports surfaced of former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and family members being in the base owing to security reasons.
Rajapaksa left his official residence, Temple Trees, after resigning from his premiership a day earlier.
He was rescued in an early morning military operation, following his resignation. Most of his belongings were transported a day earlier.
On Monday, violent clashes erupted between pro and anti-government demonstrators resulting in seven deaths and 220 injured.
Several attempts by protesters to break into Temple Trees on Tuesday night were prevented by the army.
Meanwhile, Attorney General Sanjaya Rajaratnam has advised the Inspector General of Police C.D Wickremaratne to implement a full investigation into the attack on the protesters at Galle Face Green, the famous leisure ground in Colombo.
Considering the local and international ramifications, he said, the investigation should be carried out on a priority basis.
Earlier, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa denounced the violence in a tweet and said, “I strongly condemn the violent acts taking place by those inciting and participating, irrespective of political allegiances. Violence won't solve the current problems."
(With UNI inputs)
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