Colombo: Protesters have torched a luxury hotel in Anuradhapura, said to belong to the personal Shaman of Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, and also burnt her residence, according to reports. 'Gnana Akka' is reportedly the chief astrologer of President Rajapaksa.
Her luxury hotel in the Nuwara Wewa precinct of Anuradhapura was torched amid the unrest that broke out in Sri Lanka on Monday night. Several other properties linked to government politicians were also set on fire by the angry public at night, hours after Mahinda Rajapaksa stepped down as Prime Minister following weeks of public anger.
Besides, two hotels and an eatery belonging to the Ambalangoda Mayor also came under attack.
A few days ago Gnana Akka was “commissioned” by the President to “charm protesters” demanding the President's resignation over the worsening economic crisis. Gnana Akka had been “charming” tonnes of bottled water that were delivered to the Galle Face “Gota Go Gama” protest site. The charmed water was being sent as 'donations' to the Gota Go Gama protest site.
Gnana Akka had reportedly assured that anyone who drinks the charmed water would be subdued and eventually give up their agitation against the President and his family.
For the ritual to charm bottled water the Shaman had wanted two dozen wildflowers which were not easy to find in her Anuradhapura district and some exotic flowers had been flown from neighbouring India.
Unconfirmed reports said that military personnel were used for constructing Gnana Akka's luxury hotel and for its security.
On Monday night, anti-government protesters had set also ablaze a house belonging to Mahinda Rajapaksa in Kurunegala, in north-western Sri Lanka, hours after he stepped down as Prime Minister, and protesters were also trying to break into his Temple Trees home in Colombo.
News outlets showed videos of the Mahinda Rajapaksa's house in Kurunegala fully ablaze. Protesters also set on fire the ancestral home of the Rajapaksas in Medamulana in Hambantota. Video footage showed the ancestral house of the Rajapaksas burning as protestors cheered and hooted.
The houses of several Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MPs were also attacked or set on fire.
The D.R. Rajapaksa memorial in Madamulana, Hambanthota has been destroyed by protestors, and the statues there smashed.
The houses of North Central province chief minister - Maheepala Herath and his son - Kanaka Herath, were set on fire by protesters.
Earlier in the evening, houses and offices of several SLPP MPs had come under the attack of mobs and some were torched. (UNI)