The Sri Lankan military has taken control of the presidential secretariat in the capital after the “brutal beating” of protesters- Aljazeera
Many foreign media reports have been published regarding the events that took place in Colombo last night. Here is how Aljazeera reported it to the world. The Sri Lankan military has taken control of the presidential secretariat in the capital after the “brutal beating” of protesters. The soldiers also destroyed tents in the adjacent Gotagogama protest site, arrested several protest leaders and surrounded the area with about 100 protesters. The IT Centre, the Disabled Soldiers’ Tent, the Community Kitchen that served hundreds of free meals a day, the SYU Tent, the Hearing Impaired Tent, and the Gate Zero Tent – were destroyed. The military attack came hours after protesters left their camp in front of the Prime Minister’s official residence, the Temple trees. The protesters had already announced that they would leave the Presidential Secretariat on July 22 before. Around midnight we heard that a large group of army troops were heading towards Gotagogama and suddenly we saw them running to the presidential secretariat,” Nipun Charaka Jayasekara, a young protester who was trapped in Gotagogama, told Al Jazeera.. “Soon, they stormed the area and brutally beat up the peaceful protesters, treating us as thugs.” He says. He also said that he was slightly injured while trying to escape from the army attack. -Al Jazeera-
A 2-week entry pass to Gotabaya
Quoting the Singapore immigration authorities, a 14-day short-term entry permit has been granted to former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who came on a personal visit on July 14, foreign media has reported. India’s NDTV channel reported that Mr Rajapakse was issued this short-term entry permit when he entered the country at the airport. According to the NDTV report, although Sri Lankans can usually extend this permit for 30 days, they have to apply for it online.
The American ambassador expresses deep concern about the actions taken against the Galle Face protestors
The US Ambassador to Sri Lanka says that she is deeply concerned about the actions taken against the Galle Face protesters. Ambassador Julie Chung urges the authorities to exercise restraint. And the ambassador adds, that steps should be taken immediately to refer the injured for treatment.
Nine arrested 2 hospitalised during the operation conducted at Galle face – The Police Media Spokesperson
Nine persons have been arrested during the operation conducted at Galle face The Police Media Spokesperson states that two people who were among the arrested people were injured and taken to the hospital. Police Media Spokesman Mr. Nihal Talduwa said that these people will be presented to the court today. He said that the militants were removed from the main entrance of the Presidential Secretariat in the Galle face area in a joint operation by the Police Special Forces and the Security Forces. Currently, the police are collecting fingerprints at the Presidential Secretariat.
Current situation in Sri Lanka-Police and Army attacked Galle Face Gogotagama
The Army and the Police Special Task Force attacked the protesters who were waiting at Galle face in front of the presidential office. They attacked the protesters and chased them away from the place and occupied the office of the President’s Secretariat. The military forces have managed to liberate the Presidential Secretariat and nearby areas within a very short time. The people involved in the protest have left the area and fled towards the mouth galle face. But all the roads entering and exiting the Galle face have been closed. A group of activists have also been arrested.