Former Sri Lanka cricketers Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardena have condemned the attack on peaceful protesters by Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) supporters in Colombo today.
SLPP supporters today attacked anti-government protesters and destroyed both the protest sites “‘Maina Go Gama’ in front of the Temple Trees and ‘Gota Go Gama’ at the Galle Face Green.
Condemning the incident, former Sri Lanka cricketer Kumar Sangakkara said peaceful protestors demanding their basic needs and rights were attacked by despicable thugs and goons backed by the thugs and goons in the government.
“Disgusting. This is state-backed violence. Intentional and planned,” he Tweeted.
Responding to Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa’s appeal to the public to exercise restraint, Sangakkara slammed the Prime Minister for his statement.
“While emotions are running high in #lka, I urge our general public to exercise restraint & remember that violence only begets violence. The economic crisis we’re in needs an economic solution which this administration is committed to resolving,” the Prime Minister had Tweeted.
Responding to his comment, Sangakkara said “the only violence was perpetrated by your “supporters” – goons and thugs who came to your office first before going on to assault the peaceful protestors.”
Meanwhile. former Sri Lanka cricketer Mahela Jayawardena also condemned the attacks on peaceful protesters by government-backed thugs.
“Disgusting act by the ruling government-backed thugs attacking peaceful protesters.. entire world can see how pathetic your actions are. Where are law and order? What are you doing SL police? Ur supposed to serve and protect the innocent?,” he Tweeted.
Pointing out that the government supporters had been assembled at the Prime Minister’s official residence, Jayawardena said they had walked in numbers to assault innocent peaceful anti-government protesters.
“These thugs were assembled at the prime minister’s official residence this morning and walked in numbers to assault innocent peaceful anti-government protesters.. how can this happen? Police and others just watching this,” he added. (NewsWire)
