Says MR brought mob and fed, while Johnston gave liquor
Claims President allowed Mahinda to engage in terror
Ven. Omalpe Sobhitha Thera yesterday (9) stated that Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa must take responsibility for the attacks that were unleashed on the protestors at the “GotaGoGama” yesterday.Rajapaksa resigned from the Premiership yesterday.“The public is peaceful, the Government is terrorist. Mainly, the Prime Minister should be responsible. He brought the mob of people to his house and fed them, and they drank alcohol provided by Government MP Johnston Fernando, and then were directed out,” said the monk while addressing the media yesterday. Yesterday, supporters of Rajapaksa gathered at the Temple Trees, where they engaged in chants, asking him not to resign. They were addressed by Rajapaksa, inside the Temple Trees. Following this, the crowd assaulted the protestors outside the Temple Trees, at “MynaGoGama”, where they were engaged in a days-long struggle, demanding his resignation. The crowd then moved towards “GotaGoGama”, where they assaulted anti-Government protestors, setting fire to many structures near the Galle Face Green, belonging to the protestors. Video reports show Government MP Johnston Fernando was at the Temple Trees, allegedly inciting the protestors to violence, whilst video reports show Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna MP Sanath Nishantha forming part of this pro-Government mob, while allegations have also been levelled at Moratuwa Mayor Saman Lal Fernando for transporting busloads of people to be a part of the mob.Sobitha Thera said that Rajapaksa was hoping to chase away peaceful protestors by using thugs.“But the other brother (President Gotabaya Rajapaksa) doesn't get to go scot-free. They are trying to let blood run in Sri Lanka and keep their power. Gotabaya Rajapaksa is allowing his brother to engage in terror attacks. We are not going to let you carry out a rule of terror in this country. The President should also resign as he allowed his brother to do this,” demanded the Thera.
