Over 2,500 arrested for 9th May violence

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka Police said that 2,528 people were arrested so far with regard to the 9th May Black Monday violence that broke out in Colombo.

During the past 24 hours, a total of 49 people were arrested and produced in court.

39 of them were granted bail, and 12 others have been remanded, said Sri Lanka Police, adding that a total of 856 acts of violence were reported so far.

A normal Monday morning on the 9th of May 2022, turned into a scene of chaos after pro-government supporters attacked the MynaGoGama protest site near Temple Trees following a meeting chaired by then-Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.

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.

Following investigations, the MPs and several other local government members were arrested for their involvement in the attacks on the protest sites.