2 years for Gotagogama attacked. The ‘Occupy Galle Face’, a peaceful public protest, has been underway at the site for the 32nd consecutive day calling on the President and the government to step down over the crises in Sri Lanka.
After 32 days of peaceful protests, the Rajapaksa regime unleashed its thugs on the protesters outside Temple Trees.
After demolishing the tents and assaulting the people gathered there, the thugs proceeded to Galle Face where they destroyed the tents at GotaGoGama including the medical tent and the library, as police watched. Finally the police began to disperse the attackers with water cannon and tear gas. Riot police have been called in to control the situation as lawyers and office workers came out to protect the protesters. A country wide curfew has been imposed.
People were already getting together to rebuild GotaGoGama from the ruins.
Condemnation for the attacks on the peaceful protesters came in immediately.
Amnesty International said, “Sri Lanka: The state has a duty to create an enabling environment for peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. As such, it must take necessary, reasonable and proportionate measures to de-escalate the violence at peaceful protest sites, in order to protect the right to protest of those who have been peacefully agitating for one month.
Amidst reports of injuries sustained by peaceful protestors and of inadequate protection provided by police to guarantee the right to protest, the State must ensure prompt, fair investigations and bring those responsible for such violence to justice.”
Television channels live streamed graphic footage of the destruction and the brutal attacks of unarmed people by thugs carrying metal poles. Several people have been hospitalised.
“The use of pro-govt thugs to attack peaceful protestors was always one of the more likely ways the Rajapaksa government would try to cling to power – despite virtually the whole country wanting them gone. This changes political dynamic in major and dangerous ways,” warned Alan Keenan from the International Crisis Group.
