Two members of parliament are under criminal investigation as officials said there is “direct evidence” against them for inciting violence at a peaceful anti-government protest.
Officials said that Sri Lankan police have arrested two governing party lawmakers for allegedly instigating mob violence that plunged the country into days of unrest and left nine people dead last week.
The members of parliament, both from President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s party, were questioned by criminal investigators on Tuesday evening and detained overnight, a police official said on Wednesday, speaking on condition of anonymity.
“There is direct evidence against the two MPs and that is why they were arrested,” the official said.
Sanath Nishantha and Milan Jayathilake were among 22 politicians – including former prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and his son Namal – whose passports were impounded last week following allegations that they instigated the violence.
On May 9, thousands of governing party supporters, who were bussed into the capital, attacked a peaceful demonstration by anti-government protesters demanding President Rajapaksa resign over an economic crisis that has paralyzed the country.
Then-Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa – the president’s elder brother – resigned shortly after the mob attack sparked retaliatory violence and arson, with more than 70 ruling party leaders’ homes destroyed.
According to health officials, more than 225 people were hospitalized from the violence. Police say they have arrested about 500 people connected to the violence and retaliation.
