Cricket legends slam Rajapaksas over violence
Sri Lanka Cricket legends Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardena, Sanath Jayasuriya and Roshan Mahanama slam the Rajapaksas over violence seen today.
Responding to a tweet by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa condemning the violence at GotaGoGama today, Sangakkara said that the only violence was perpetrated by Mahinda Rajapaksa’s “supporters” – goons and thugs who came to his office first before going on to assault the peaceful protesters.
Mahela Jayawardena said that the thugs assembled at the Prime Minister’s official residence this morning and walked in numbers to assault innocent and peaceful anti-government protesters.
“How can this happen ? Police and others just watching this,” he tweeted.
Former captain Sanath Jayasuriya said that he never thought that this type of thuggery will be unleashed on innocent protesters at Galle Face in broad day and outside Temple Trees.
“The Police must remember they are here to protect the PUBLIC of this country not corrupt politicians. This is the end of the Rajapaksas,” Jayasuriya tweeted.
Former captain Roshan Mahanama said he was disgusted to see the attack on the most peaceful and strongest protests in the history of the country.
“This shows the cowardliness and dictatorship of the Government authorities as the mobs were assembled in the Prime Minister’s residence,” he said.
Several people sustained injuries as supporters of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), armed with poles and other objects, attacked GotaGoGama in Galle Face.
The mob destroyed several tents and other structures erected at Galle Face and also attacked some of the demonstrators.
The Police formed a human chain to prevent the protesters from entering GotaGoGama. (Colombo Gazette)
