Health Minister resigns following Colombo violence

Sri Lanka’s Health Minister Professor Channa Jayasumana resigned on Monday (9) after violent scenes were witnessed in Colombo, especially near the two main peaceful protest sites against President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his brother Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.

A normal Monday morning turned in to a scene of chaos, after pro-government supporters attacked the MynaGoGama protest site near Temple Trees following a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, where he announced he is willing to make any sacrifice for the people.

The meeting at Temple Trees was organized by the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Local Government Members Forum and saw hundreds in attendance.

Following this meeting, the pro-government supporters attacked the MynaGoGama protest site near Temple Trees and dismantled the camp.

Thereafter, they moved to the main protest site in Galle Face known as GotaGoGama and destroyed several tents and assaulted peaceful protestors.

Sri Lanka Police, the Riot Police, Sri Lanka Army and other law enforcement agencies were called in to control the situation and Sri Lanka Police eventually imposed an island wide curfew to control the unrest.