Anti-government protesters beaten by pro-government activists in Colombo on Monday, May 9, 2022. Image via Groundviews. Used with permission. This post was first published in Groundviews, an award-winning citizen media website in Sri Lanka. An edited version is published here as part of a content-sharing agreement with Global Voices. After 30 days of peaceful protests, the Rajapaksa regime unleashed its thugs on the protesters outside the residence of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees in Colombo on Monday, May 9, 2022. After demolishing the tents and assaulting the people gathered there, the thugs proceeded to Galle Face where they destroyed the tents at GotaGoGama including the medical tent and the library, as police watched. “Gota Go Gama” means “Gota Go Village” in Sinhala, and it has been set up (similar to other occupy movements) like a small village providing food, toilets and free emergency medical services for the protesters occupying the space demanding president Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his family members resign from key government positions. Finally, the police began to disperse the attackers with water cannons and tear gas. Riot police were called in to control the situation as lawyers and office workers came out to protect the protesters. A countrywide curfew has been imposed. People were already getting together to rebuild GotaGoGama from the ruins. Condemnation of the attacks on the peaceful protesters came in immediately. Amnesty International said: Sri Lanka: The state has a duty to create an enabling environment for peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. As such, it must take necessary, reasonable and proportionate measures to de-escalate the violence at peaceful protest sites, to protect the right to protest of those who have been peacefully agitating for one month. Amidst reports of injuries sustained by peaceful protestors and of inadequate protection provided by police to guarantee the right to protest, the State must ensure prompt, fair investigations and bring those responsible for such violence to justice. Television channels live-streamed graphic footage of the destruction and the brutal attacks on unarmed people by thugs carrying metal poles. Several people have been hospitalised. “The use of pro-govt thugs to attack peaceful protestors was always one of the more likely ways the Rajapaksa government would try to cling to power – despite virtually the whole country wants them gone. This changes the political dynamic in major and dangerous ways,” warned Alan Keenan from the International Crisis Group. Dr Asanga Welikala, Lecturer in Public Law at the University of Edinburgh, tweeted: The Rajapaksas are fascists, the SLPP is a fascist party. Their instincts are always violent, their endgame is always the control of the state. Some should think again if political agreements, interim governments, and above all, constitutional change can be done with fascists. — Asanga Welikala (@welikalaa) May 9, 2022 Former cricketing star Mahela Jayawardene condemned the attacks on the peaceful protesters: These thugs was assembled at prime minister’s official residence this morning and walked in numbers to assault innocent peaceful anti government protesters.. how can this happen ? Police and others just watching this 😢😢 https://t.co/XnSzE0sIDu — Mahela Jayawardena (@MahelaJay) May 9, 2022 President Gotabaya Rajapaksa tweeted: Strongly condemn the violent acts taking place by those inciting & participating,irrespective of political allegiances. Violence won’t solve the current problems. I request all citizens to remain calm & exercise restraint. I urge everyone to work together in solving this crisis — Gotabaya Rajapaksa (@GotabayaR) May 9, 2022 Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was expected to resign on May 9, 2022, but instead brought busloads of his supporters to plead with him to stay on, tweeted: While emotions are running high in #lka, I urge our general public to exercise restraint & remember that violence only begets violence. The economic crisis we're in needs an economic solution which this administration is committed to resolving. — Mahinda Rajapaksa (@PresRajapaksa) May 9, 2022 To which cricket celebrity Kumar Sangakkara replied: The only violence was perpetrated by your “supporters” – goons and thugs who came to your office first before going on to assault the peaceful protestors. https://t.co/MxrCgcenEl — Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) May 9, 2022 Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa warned: Every single time the Rajapaksa’s take the back alley instead of the high road. Violence, Emergency laws and fake followers will not stop the momentum of change. Expect serious repercussions if any peaceful protestors or media are harmed.