May 11, Colombo: Beleaguered Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa for a second time appealed to the public to stop the violence spreading through the country and remain calm to overcome the challenges they face.

“This is a time when Sri Lankans must unite to overcome the economic, social and political challenges we face,” the President said in a brief message.

The President urged all Sri Lankans to “reject the subversive attempts to push you towards racial and religious disharmony. Promoting moderation, toleration and coexistence is vital.”

The violence erupted across the island after former Prime Minister and his brother Mahinda Rajapaksa’s supporters Monday unleashed vicious attacks against the protesters who were peacefully protesting for more than a month at the Galle Face Green in Colombo demanding the resignation of the President and the Prime Minister.

Following the violent attacks and retaliations the President yesterday appealed and urged people to remain calm and stop violence and acts of revenge against citizens, irrespective of political affiliations.

“All efforts will be made to restore political stability through consensus within the constitutional mandate and resolve the economic crisis,” he said.

However, the military has been deployed to prevent attacks on ruling party politicians and destruction of public and private property.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is scheduled to make a special statement regarding the current situation in the country at 9.00 pm tonight.