Janayugom Webdesk
Colombo
July 17, 2022
The 100th day of the Sri Lankan People’s Revolution which overthrew family rule and mismanagement has passed. The popular uprising led by the youth, including students, is being evaluated as a warning to governments that fail to deal with the economic crisis.
The protests, which started with demands for the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, continue even after Gotabaya left the country. Sri Lanka has witnessed protests across ethnic lines taking to the streets. Hour-long power outages and a sharp increase in the prices of essential commodities and fuel pushed the people into agitation.
The occupation of important centers like the President’s Palace, the Presidential Secretariat and the Prime Minister’s Office was also decisive in the popular struggle. It is reported that all major universities in the country and 95 percent of university student unions played a major role in the protest. The student protest started near the President’s office in Colombo on April 9. The protest, which started for two days, expanded with more popular participation. The name of the protest movement is Gota Go Gama Aragalaya Movement. Aragalaya means struggle in Sinhala language. The slogan ‘Gotha Go Home’ has been echoed throughout Sri Lanka for three months.
Attacks by pro-government protesters on unarmed and peaceful protesters brought the protests to a standstill. Sri Lanka then moved towards non-consensus protests. Along with the official residences, the family home of the Rajapakses also came under fire. Mahinda Rajapakse had to resign as Prime Minister after the attack by Samarakulis. Gotabaya Rajapakse’s efforts to retain power by appointing Renil Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister also failed in the face of protests. Gotabaya left Sri Lanka with his family after protesters occupied the presidential palace, which was inaccessible to ordinary people.
Police and security forces were unable to control the protesters with tear gas and water cannons as the number of protesters was so large. One protester died and more than 80 people, including several security forces, were injured during the clashes. On July 14, after the president and prime minister were assured that they would step down, protesters withdrew from government buildings.
Gotabaya, who left the country without resigning, submitted his resignation letter to the Speaker via e-mail after taking refuge first in the Maldives and then in Singapore. The protestors are now demanding the resignation of Renil Wickremesinghe, who took office as the interim president. The warning is that the protest will again spread to the government buildings. Protesters also came against the opposition parties.
The agitators protested in front of the residence of Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa. Protesters are continuing their protest at the Secretariat building demanding the resignation of Renil Wickramasinghe.
English Summary:The Sri Lankan People’s Revolution has crossed its 100th day
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