Sri Lanka: arrest of two deputies close to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa
Anti-government protesters topple a police barricade during a protest demanding the arrest of ruling party supporters who stormed an anti-government protest camp last week outside police headquarters, amid the country's economic crisis, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, May 16, 2022. REUTERS - ADNAN ABIDI
Text by: RFI Follow
1 min
Two MPs from Sri Lanka's ruling party have been arrested following last week's violence, which left nine people dead and more than 200 injured.
Questioned by the investigators of the criminal brigade, Tuesday evening, May 17, and detained all night, the two deputies appeared this morning before a judge of the district court of Colombo.
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The announcement of the arrest of deputies close to the president quickly made the rounds of social networks, as the news is unusual
in a country where politicians are protected by immunity
.
Some incredulous Internet users even expect to see their release soon.
But this time, the facts are overwhelming.
Direct evidence
Police say investigators have direct evidence against Sanath Nishantha and Milan Jayathilake.
The MPs are among 22 politicians, including former prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and his son, whose passports were confiscated last week after complaints of incitement to violence.
Burned houses
Ten days ago, thousands of followers of the Rajapaksa clan were bussed from rural areas to the capital Colombo.
The situation quickly degenerated when supporters of the president attacked the camps of peaceful demonstrators who have been demanding the president's resignation since April 9.
In retaliation, more than 70 houses belonging to politicians were burned down and destroyed by an angry mob.
►Also read: Sri Lanka: President Gotabaya Rajapaksa escapes a motion of censure
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