Govt. issues shoot-on-sight orders as situation gets out of control

Protests at Trinco over MR taking refuge at SLN base

By Shamindra Ferdinando

The government yesterday evening ordered the police and the armed forces to open fire on those looting public and private property and unleashed violence.

In Malwana, mobs set fire to a house, which allegedly belongs to SLPP MP Basil Rajapaksa. In Kurunegala, gangs set ablaze former Premier Mahinda Rajapaksa’s residence. Unknown persons also brought down the D. A. Rajapaksa memorial in Tangalle, while two houses belonging to SLPP MP Chamal Rajapaksa, in Matara and Debarawewa, too, were attacked. His son, MP Shashendra’s Sevanagala home was destroyed.

Amidst continuing violence, ex-Prime Minister Rajapaksa left Temple Trees yesterday morning. The public launched protests outside the Trincomalee Navy, following reports that the Rajapaksa family had taken refuge there. Namal Rajapaksa tweeted that his father Mahinda Rajapkasa

wouldn’t flee the country. The MP said that the former PM was at a safe place.

In Colombo, protesters assaulted Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon near Temple Trees yesterday morning. The senior officer in charge of Colombo in civvies was seen running away. Later, police headquarters said that two persons were arrested in connection with the incident.

Police said that Polonnaruwa MP Amarakeerthi Tennakoon and his private bodyguard were among nine persons killed in incidents on Monday.

Mobs caused heavy damages to houses belonging to former and present lawmakers D. B. Herath, Ramesh Pathirana, Kanchana Wijesekera, Wimal Weerawansa, Siripala Gamlath, Duminda Dissanayake, Keheliya Rambukwella, Shehan Semasinghe, Mahipala Herath, Janaka Bandara Tennakoon, Gamini Lokuge, Channa Jayasumana, Jayantha Ketagoda, Gunapa Ratnasekera, Bandula Gunawardena, Dr. Nalaka Gidahewa, Prasanna Ranaweera, Pavitra Wanniarachchi, Chandima Weerakkody, Mohan de Silva and Vidura Wickremanayake.

Mobs also destroyed Milco Chairman Renuka Perera’s home. Perera is the administrative secretary of the SLPP.

SJB MP Kumara Welgama and his driver came under a mob attack at Mahakumbura in Homagama on Monday night.