Update: Armed forces ordered to shoot looters; death toll rises to eight

The three armed forces have been ordered to shoot anyone looting public property or causing harm to individuals, the Defence Ministry said this evening.

An island-wide curfew imposed at 7.00pm last night (9) has now been extended till 7.00am on Thursday (12).

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa took to Twitter this evening to urge people to remain calm and stop acts of violence. 

"I appeal and urge people to remain calm & stop violence & acts of revenge against citizens,  irrespective of political affiliations. All efforts will be made to restore political stability through consensus, within constitutional mandate & to resolve economic crisis," the President said.

According to latest figures released by Police Headquarters this evening, eight people have been killed up until 6.00am today following violence that erupted yesterday after Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) supporters attacked peaceful protesters at "Maina Go Gama" at Temple Trees and "Gota Go Gama" at Galle Face. 

The dead include an SLPP Parliamentarian, the Chairman of a Pradeshiya Sabha, a Police Sub Inspector (SI) and a Sergeant. 

Six of the deaths were reported from the Western Province while two were from the Southern Province. 

SLPP Polonnaruwa District MP Premakeerthi Athukorala and his security officer were killed during a clash with protesters at Nittambuwa during which shots were fired.  

Two persons were killed and at least five others injured during a shooting that occurred after a mob stormed the house of the Chairman of the Weeraketiya Pradeshiya Sabha. 

Meanwhile, Imaduwa Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman A.V. Sarath Kumara has also died from injuries sustained after a mob stormed his house. 

Police Headquarters confirmed the death of a 28-year-old Sub Inspector (SI) who was stationed on duty at Temple Trees last night as police tried to beat back a mob that attempted to storm the PM's official residence. The officer was killed when a tear gas gun he was loading exploded. 

At least 231 persons have been injured during the violence, with 218 of these warded at the Colombo National Hospital.

Police also said that 47 houses and 38 vehicles had been set alight during the unrest while 41 houses and 65 vehicles had been damaged. 

The armed forces have also been deployed to maintain law and order and security forces personnel were seen checking vehicles that were entering Colombo today. 

The curfew has not prevented mobs from attacking and destroying houses and offices of many SLPP MPs and local government representatives. Several business that allegedly belonged to those who had links with the SLPP were also attacked and destroyed. 

More than 30 properties have been attacked during the past 24 hours. The houses of following SLPP MPs were attacked: Sanath Nishantha, Tissa Kuttiarachchi, Keheliya Rambukwella, Ramesh Pathirana, Kanaka Herath, Prasanna Ranatunga, Channa Jayasumana, Arundika Fernando, Johnston Fernando, Shehan Semasinghe, Wimal Weerawansa, Rohitha Abeygunawardena, Bandula Gunawardena, Kokila Gunawardena, D.B. Herath, Prasanna Ranaweera, Siripala Gamlath, Nimal Lansa, Kanchana Wijesekara, Anupa Pasquel, Nipuna Ranawaka, Gamini Lokuge. The house of Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) MP Shantha Bandara was also attacked and set on fire by a mob, as was the house of SLFP MP and former State Minister Duminda Dissanayake. 

A mob also attacked and set fire to the ancestral home of the Rajapaksa family in Medamulana. Hambantota. 

The house of Sharman Gnanakka, who is said to be the chief astrologer of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, was also attacked and destroyed last night in Anuradhapura. A shrine she maintained and a hotel allegedly owned by her were also destroyed. 

Houses of former Sabaragamuwa Province Chief Minister Maheepala Herath, Moratuwa Mayor Saman Lal Fernando, the house of the Mayor of Kurunegala and the house of SLPP Administrative Secretary Renuka Perera have also been attacked. 

Meanwhile, dozens of buses and vehicles that had allegedly transported SLPP supporters to Colombo yesterday for the meeting convened by former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa have been attacked and destroyed in Colombo and various parts of the island. Vehicles of SLPP politicians and supporters were also attacked and set alight at various locations. 

It was after the meeting convened by Mr Rajapaksa that SLPP supporters, including MPs and local government representatives, moved out of Temple Trees and attacked peaceful protesters at "Maina Go Gama," located opposite Temple Trees. After attacking protesters and destroying "Maina Go Gama," the SLPP supporters then moved towards Galle Face and attacked peaceful protesters at "Gota Go Gama."

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Kumara Welgama is currently receiving treatment at the Homagama Hospital after he was assaulted at Makumbura by a mob who pulled him out of his vehicle. 

Meanwhile, protesters have defiantly continued to remain at "Gota Go Gama" despite yesterday's attack. They have rebuild destroyed structures and set up new tents. 

These photographs were captured by our photographer today (10). 

Pix by M.A. Pushpakumara