Sri Lanka’s ex-strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa makes first look in Parliament since quitting as PM

Sri Lanka’s former strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa on Wednesday made his first look in Parliament since he was pressured to resign as prime minister and take shelter in a navy camp beneath excessive safety amidst violent protests towards the financial disaster largely blamed on the Rajapaksas.

Mahinda Rajapaksa, 76, who served because the nation’s prime minister thrice, noticed his residence set on fireplace final week. He, alongside together with his spouse and household, had fled his official residence – Temple Trees – and took shelter on the naval base in Trincomalee.

Mahinda resigned as prime minister final week, hours after his supporters attacked anti-government protesters, prompting authorities to impose a nationwide curfew and deploy Army troops within the capital.

The assault triggered widespread violence towards pro-Rajapaksa politicians.

At least 9 folks died with over 200 being hospitalised. Some 58 of Mahinda Rajapaksa’s authorities colleagues have seen arson assaults on their private properties.

Mahinda Rajapaksa’s bed room is pictured, at a vandalised property that belongs to the previous Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa’s household, following violent clashes between professional and anti-government factions and police, in Weeraketiya, Sri Lanka, May 11, 2022. (Reuters)

Mahinda, who’s an MP, was seen in Parliament, his first look since he was pressured to resign and retreat to a Navy Camp within the Eastern Province following the May ninth Black Monday violence, the News First newspaper reported.

His son and former cabinet minister Namal Rajapaksa additionally attended the Parliament session.

Both Rajapaksas have been notable absentees on Tuesday when a movement to droop the Standing Orders to debate the movement expressing displeasure on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was taken up for a vote, it stated.

The movement was defeated.

On May 11, Defence Secretary Gen. (Rtd.) Kamal Gunaratne confirmed that former prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa was briefly moved to the Trincomalee Navy Dockyard.

“He will not live there forever. After the situation returns to normal, he will be relocated to a residence or location of his choice,” he stated.

He stated the previous prime minister can be protected so long as he lives, as each former president is entitled to safety and safety.
Sri Lanka is going through its worst financial disaster since gaining independence from Britain in 1948.

The disaster is prompted partly by an absence of international foreign money, which has meant that the nation can not afford to pay for imports of staple meals and gasoline, resulting in acute shortages and really excessive costs.

Thousands of demonstrators have hit the streets throughout Sri Lanka since April 9 searching for the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa as the federal government ran out of cash for very important imports.