Month: April 2022

Sri Lankan President, Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s office blamed an unidentified ‘extremist’ group for creating the violent situation during the protest near the Jubilee Post in Nugegoda, Colombo, the Colombo Page reported citing President’s media division’s press release.

The mob armed with iron clubs, sickles and clubs marched towards the Sri Lankan President’s residence at Mirihana Pangiriwatta, to provoke the protesters and create a riot-like situation in the city, according to the statement.

The statement further revealed the police has arrested several people who were involved in the protest and many of them were identified as organized extremists. It further added that they have spearheaded the protest calling for an Arab Spring in Sri Lanka.

The detainees revealed that the riots were carried out using social media to provoke the people and destabilize the country, the statement added.

The protest was staged on Thursday over the government’s failure to address the existing issues in the island nation.

The protesters clashed with the police outside the residence of President Rajapaksa in Mirihana.

A bus attached to the Sri Lanka Army and a jeep were set on fire by protesters. Moreover, police have imposed a curfew in several areas in Colombo.

“Police curfew imposed until further notice with immediate effect within Colombo North, Colombo South, Colombo Central and Nugegoda Police Division,” said Inspector General of Police, reported Daily Mirror.

After the protest, at least ten people were injured including journalists.

Six people were admitted to the Colombo National Hospital after sustaining injuries following clashes between protestors and police in Mirihana. Another four patients were admitted to the Colombo South Teaching Hospital in Kalubowila, Daily Mirror reported.

Sri Lanka’s economy has been in a free fall since the COVID-19 pandemic due to the crash of the tourism sector.

Sri Lanka is presently facing a foreign exchange shortage which has led to a food, fuel, power and gas shortage and has sought the assistance of friendly countries for economic assistance.

Sri Lanka is witnessing at least 10-hour daily power cuts. Sri Lanka’s currency has been also devalued by almost SLR 90 against the US dollar since March 8. (ANI)

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday visited the residence of late actor Puneeth Rajkumar here and paid tribute to the late Kannada superstar.

The MP, who is on a two-day visit to the state was accompanied by the Congress state unit President DK Shivakumar and Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah.

“I paid my condolences to Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar and other family members of famous Kannada actor late Puneeth Rajkumar after visiting their home. Puneeth left unforgettable memories for all Kannadigas at a young age,” Rahul Gandhi tweeted in Kannada after his visit.

Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala, the party’s Campaign Committee chairman M B Patil, and former union minister KH Muniyappa also accompanied Rahul Gandhi.

Puneeth Rajkumar, known had passed away on October 29 last year at the age of 46 following a cardiac arrest. He was admitted to Vikram Hospital in Bengaluru, after experiencing chest pain, where he breathed his last. Son of matinee idol Rajkumar, Puneeth was fondly called ‘Appu’ by his fans.

The Congress leader had earlier taken part in the 115th birth anniversary event of late Siddaganga Mutt seer Shivakumar Swamiji.

Speaking to ANI on Thursday, senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge had said that Gandhi will be meeting senior leaders, frontal organisation members, party executive committee and will be looking to strengthen the party for the upcoming polls. He will also visit the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee office.

The Congress leader is scheduled to today visit the KPCC office and attend the executive meeting with the frontals.

Rahul Gandhi’s visit comes at a time when the state is debating issues like the Hijab ban, restrictions on non-Hindu traders conducting business inside temple premises and the Halal meat row. (ANI)

A trainer fighter jet of the South Korean air force crashed in the country’s southeastern city, Yonhap news agency reported on Friday.

The KT1 trainer jet crashed down at a rice field in Sacheon, some 440 km southeast of the capital Seoul, at about 1:36 p.m. local time (0436 GMT).

Three people were reported to be killed, and one was seriously injured.

The firefighting authorities dispatched two helicopters, 14 vehicles and 35 personnel to the scene for the rescue operation. (ANI/Xinhua)