New Year dawns at protest site for many Sri Lankans 

Meera Srinivasan Updated - April 14, 2022 at 09:49 PM.
Demonstrators participate in a ritual of boiling milk to mark the Shinala and Tamil New Year during the protest in front of the Presidential Secretariat on Thursday  | Photo Credit: Reuters

Scores of Sri Lankans on Thursday marked the Sinhala and Tamil New Year at their agitation site in Colombo, as they relentlessly protest the Rajapaksa government’s “failed response” to the country’s crushing economic depression.

Some boiled milk, shared sweets, sang, danced and played games associated with the country’s biggest festival at Gotagogama or ‘Gota go village’ named after the main demand of the protesters — they want President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa to take responsibility for the crisis that has left citizens struggling without essentials, and resign immediately.

Occupy Galle Face

The citizen’s uprising that has been building up for more than a month intensified over the last week with protesters deciding to ‘Occupy Galle Face’, the sea-facing stretch near the Presidential Secretariat. Dozens of tents have sprung up in the area, where thousands gather and some stay overnight, carrying posters critical of the government. President Gotabaya will not resign, a senior minister has said, while Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has asked protesters to be “patient”. Mahinda’s outreach on the eve of the New Year, offering to hold talks with protesters, was rejected by many.

“I am here because our country’s future is now a big question mark. We are here even on New Year’s Day because that is how badly we want a change. The Rajapaksas must go,” said a protester.

“I am a businessman, and I am unable to import anything because we have no dollars left in the country. We have no other option but to come and protest,” said a middle-aged man, who was participating with his wife. 

Popular support

The agitations have also drawn popular artistes, who now make frequent appearances at Gotagogama and perform to express solidarity. Earlier this week, iconic Sinhalese singer Nanda Malini was seen at the protest site, cheered by the crowd as she broke into a song.

Meanwhile, the political opposition is planning to intervene in Parliament next week with a No Confidence Motion against the government and by holding large protest marches. The government has announced two crucial decisions since the crisis aggravated — Sri Lanka will soon hold talks with the IMF for a support package, and it announced a default on its $51 billion outstanding foreign debt, denting its unblemished record in debt servicing.

Published on April 14, 2022 16:19

This is a Premium article available exclusively to our subscribers.

Subscribe now to and get well-researched and unbiased insights on the Stock market, Economy, Commodities and more...

You have reached your free article limit.

Subscribe now to and get well-researched and unbiased insights on the Stock market, Economy, Commodities and more...

You have reached your free article limit.
Subscribe now to and get well-researched and unbiased insights on the Stock market, Economy, Commodities and more...

TheHindu Businessline operates by its editorial values to provide you quality journalism.

This is your last free article.