Former PM Mahinda Rajapaksa takes refuge in Naval Base, 8 killed so far; India will help

The dissatisfaction arising out of the economic crisis in Sri Lanka can now lead to civil war. On Monday, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned under pressure from the opposition. Unhappy with his resignation, supporters carried out violent incidents in the capital Colombo. After this his opponents also became furious. When Rajapaksa's supporters tried to leave Colombo. Their vehicles were targeted at various places.

According to media reports, former PM Mahinda Rajapaksa and his family have taken refuge at the Trincomalee Naval Base in eastern Sri Lanka. They were taken to the base by a helicopter. At the same time, on getting information about this, a crowd of protesters has gathered outside the base. So far 8 people have died in this violence, while more than 200 people are injured.

In the midst of the ongoing crisis in Sri Lanka, India has spoken of helping on Tuesday. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said – India will provide full help for stability and economic recovery in Sri Lanka. Let us tell you that India has sent assistance of $ 3.5 billion (about Rs 27 thousand crore) to Sri Lanka this year.

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In Colombo on Tuesday, a mob attacked Senior DIG Deshbandhu Tenakoon of Western Province. Later his vehicle was also set on fire.

Helpline number +94-773727832 and email ID cons.colombo@mea.gov.in has been issued for stranded Indians in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lankan MP Janak Bandara Tenakoon's house in Dambulla was set on fire.

The Sri Lanka Bar Association appealed to the people not to leave their homes.

The protesters attacked the residence of former minister Rohita Abegunawardene.

Curfew was imposed across the country on Monday amid violent demonstrations.

Opposition leaders have demanded the arrest of Mahinda on Tuesday. They say that Mahindra instigated the peaceful protestors and incited violence. Protesters torched the ancestral home of Mahinda Rajapaksa in Hambantota on Monday. At the same time, in the capital Colombo, former minister Johnson Fernando was thrown into the lake along with the car. So far the houses of more than 12 ministers have been burnt.

Firing inside Prime Minister's residence

According to news agency AFP, on Monday, thousands of protesters broke the main gate of the PM's official residence 'Temple Tree' and a truck parked here was set on fire. After this, firing was also done inside the residence. To control the agitating crowd, the police fired tear gas shells and fired in the air.

Sri Lanka's 1996 World Cup winning team captain Arjuna Ranatunga has blamed the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) party for the violence at the PM's residence. Ranatunga said that it was the SLPP that had gathered the violent mob of people.

Sri Lankan PM resigns under pressure from opposition: MP dies in anti-government violence, former minister's house burnt

Sri Lankan MP Amarakirthi Athukorla dies

The news of the death of Sri Lankan MP Amarakirthi Athukorla also came to light on the previous day. According to reports, Amarkirti opened fire on the protesters and later hid in the building to avoid the crowd. This is where his body was recovered. However, it is not yet clear what caused his death.

Emergency imposed twice in a month

In view of the deteriorating economic condition, the common people on Friday staged violent demonstrations in the National Assembly. After this, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa again announced the imposition of emergency. A month later, a state of emergency has been imposed in Sri Lanka. Prior to this, emergency was also imposed on 1 April, which was lifted on 6 April.

See Sri Lanka crisis through the eyes of Bhaskar cartoonist