Won't allow Mahinda Rajapaksa to leave the country; protesters block roads, demand former PM's arrest for destroying law and order

COLOMBO: Protesters have blocked the entrance to the Bandaranaike International Airport following rumours that former Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and his family will soon leave the country.

The protesters blocked the road to the airport by lining up cars across the road. They also said that they would not allow any people's representative or minister to leave the country. Rajapaksa and his family are currently staying at the Naval Base in Trincomalee. The former prime minister and his family were airlifted to the naval base by helicopter. The army shifted Rajapaksa and his family to the military base after the protesters surrounded the Prime Minister's official residence in Colombo.

A large number of people have been demanding the arrest of the former Prime Minister for disrupting law and order in the country.

Rajapaksa had no choice but to resign after his failed attempt to suppress the protesters who surrounded the official residence. With this, riots broke out all over the country. Five were killed.

Protesters set fire to Mahinda's ancestral home in Hambantota and his residence in Kurunegala City. The protesters also destroyed the official residences of former ministers Johnston Fernando, four MPs and two mayors. The ruling party MPs were attacked by students. Party offices were also set on fire.

Buses and vehicles were set on fire. Hundreds of people were injured in the attack, including opposition leader Sajith Premadasa.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa should resign

Following the resignation of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, President Gotabaya initiated a move to form an interim government involving all political parties. The main opposition SJB said it was ready to form a government if Gotabaya resigns.