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‘GotaGoGama Galle’ dismantled and set up again

17 Apr 2022

By Buddhika Samaraweera A group of police officers removed some temporary structures that had been set up in front of the Galle Bus Stand, which was labelled the “GotaGoGama” Galle Branch, set up by a group of protestors who were engaged in a protest demanding the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, and the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP)-led Government. Nearly 50 police officers arrived at the location last morning, and there were around 100 protestors at the time of the removal of the constructions. The video footage of the incident circulated on social media platforms showed police officers removing makeshift tents and large posters. However, by evening, the temporary structures were re-established, following the intervention of lawyers. However, the protesters claimed that the Police had arrived at the scene without obtaining any court order. They questioned the Police as to what inconvenience was being caused to the Police through a protest demanding the resignation of the President, the Premier, and the Government. “Large-scale theft and frauds have taken place in this country, but the Police have no interest in finding out about them. However, when the people take to the streets against the Government, the Police come and harass the people. We would like to emphasise to the Government and the Police that just because these constructions are removed, we have no intention of giving up this struggle,” they said. The protestors further said that although the Police were able to remove the constructions, the latter would not be able to quell the public opposition towards the President, the Premier, and the Government, adding that no force would be able to stop the people's struggle that is currently going on. “The Police are protecting the thieves and they have become the puppies of rulers. The Police are even protecting soothsayer Gnanakka's (a woman said to be a soothsayer, living in the Anuradhapura area, and is said to have close connections with the President) house in Anuradhapura, but the people who have taken to the street demanding their rights have no protection from the Police,” they claimed. When contacted by The Morning to inquire about the incident, Police Spokesman Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Attorney-at-Law Nihal Thalduwa said that the Police would never try to suppress peaceful and non-violent protests. However, he said, if any protest disrupts normal activities in the city or elsewhere, the Police have been empowered to control such, even without obtaining a court order. A massive protest with the participation of more than 50,000 people commenced at the Galle Face Green on 9 April, demanding President Rajapaksa, Premier Rajapaksa, and the Government to resign. The said protest in front of the Galle Bus Stand began in parallel to the protest at the Galle Face Green, of which the latter marked its ninth consecutive day yesterday.


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