Alasdair pal and Uditha Jayasinghe

COLOMBO, (Reuters) – On Monday morning hundreds of supporters gathered in Colombo’s prime minister’s residence. They urged Mahinda Rajapaksa to not resign.

The country’s most powerful man and the descendant of the dynasty, to which his older brother President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is also a member, Arguably, was considering the idea to create an interim government in the face of economic and social chaos.

According to Reuters witnesses it took less than one hour for the crowd to rampage through the city, wielding iron bars, beating protesters and beating others. This was the most violent day in the history of anti-government demonstrations.

It was brilliantly counterproductive that the Rajapaksas’ Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) organized the meeting to strengthen Mahinda.

His supporter’s actions angered those who called for his resignation and contributed to widespread clashes throughout the country, as well as attacks on property held by Rajapaksas as political allies.

Eight people perished and hundreds more were injured. He resigned later that day. His brother, who is the prime minister, imposed broad powers on Tuesday which allowed him to give police unprecedented power.

A number of Rajapaksa property were damaged and the Mahinda Museum, which was dedicated to Mahinda’s dad, was also vandalized. This is an unusual turn for a family who dominated Sri Lankan politics over decades. Many people in Sri Lanka respect and fear them equally.

Jayadeva Uyangoda a Colombo University political scientist, said, “This is an important turning point.” She was referring to approximately 1,000 participants at the meeting and subsequent events.

It has caused a shift in public sentiment towards Rajapaksas, and their support. This was clearly a political error by Mahinda Rajapaksa.”

‘GET READY’

According to a government official, on Monday morning hundreds of SLPP sympathizers were bused into central Colombo. They marched to Temple Trees in Colombo, an historic colonial-era residence that served as the prime minister’s official residence.

“Whose power? Mahinda’s power!” They chanted as the iron gates at the compound opened to allow them into the building around 11:00 a.m., Reuters witnesses reported.

Rajapaksa, the speaker inside, addressed the audience in a room that was used for state functions.

It is no secret that the opposition has their own agenda, and it is being done under the cover of financial crisis. His office released a transcription of his comments.

The crowd asked the 76-year old if he should quit. He replied that they wanted him to stay.

He said, “That doesn’t mean I have to resign.” “You all know I am on the side the people in politics. For the benefit of the people… For the good of the people, I’m willing to do whatever it takes.”

Johnston Fernando was the chief whip of the government and other speakers were even more direct.

According to Reuters, Fernando stated “Get ready,” according to a video that was confirmed by an official who saw the speech.

“Let’s begin the fight. He should give us the presidency if the president is unable to do so. “We will clear Galle Face,” said he, speaking of the Colombo waterfront. This is where two protest locations have been established in recent weeks. The crowd cheered.

Fernando and Mahindarajapaksa declined to comment on their meeting, or whether they were triggered by it.

“The Temple Trees meeting… was organized with the intention to show support for the government,” Namal Rajapaksa – Mahinda’s son and ruling party lawmaker – stated in a post on social media.

The violence was not planned with violent motives, but was instead hijacked and manipulated by mobs who have vested interest! The majority of violence directed at the SLPP supporters.

VIOLENCE SPREADS

Rajapaksa and his supporters started to leave the compound around noon. According to Reuters witnesses, some went to a protest camp near Temple Trees where they started smashing tents and beating people who were there.

They then headed east along Galle Face towards the protest center, Gota Go Gama. Some carried iron bars. They clashed against anti-government protesters who used tent poles to their advantage.

The riot police arrived to end the fighting with tear gas and water cannon.

Rajapaksa, who had made a promise to his supporters only hours earlier, resigned. He claimed that he did it to permit the formation a unity government.

Although thousands of revellers defied the national curfew and celebrated on the streets, the mood soon turned sour.

Anti-government protestors struck across the nation, attacking lawmakers and police. They also torched property owned by Fernando and Rajapaksa.

Even though violence is now under control, there were hundreds again at Gota Go Gama on Tuesday night despite the curfew.

Lahiru Fernando (36-year-old television production worker) said that although there is a curfew, people still support us. He has been camping at the site for more than a month.

“Now, the entire island is supporting our efforts. They kicked the incorrect generation.”