end of Rajapaksa regime. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s desperate attempts to retain power fail as the country manages to oust him and take nascent steps towards re-democratization. July 9th has earned a place in the political history of Sri Lanka as the protestors swarmed into President’s office and residence, forcing him to step down.
Why there was an end needed for the Rajapaksa?
Sri Lanka has been facing a worsening economic crisis in the last few months. The Sri Lankan President, instead of addressing the root causes of the crisis, used the military to keep the protestors at bay and secure his position. This exercise failed as the protestors plunged into President’s residence and office, along with Prime Minister’s office. The President fled to the Maldives and then to Singapore, to take refuge.
Due to shortages of fuel and food, a two-week shutdown was announced for governmental institutions. The economic halt gave birth to various social concerns, leading to an eruption of violence. Firing shots became a common sight at fuel stations, leaving citizens as well as policemen injured. The protestors have set on ablaze 40+ houses of Parliamentarians over the last month. The newly appointed PM is seen to be more interested in rebuilding houses of Parliamentarians than focusing on actual food and economic crisis.
Basil Rajapaksa, the Rajapaksa political strategist, is clearing the way for Dammika Parera’s parliamentary seat, clearly showcasing political favoritism despite the protests. The Rajapakshas walk with charges like corruption scandals, and human rights violations, and many others. The public is furious against Rajapaksa’s family, who held prominent and powerful positions in the government. The rage surged out as the citizens suffered amid crippling shortages of even food, medicines, and fuels, and soaring living costs.
The way ahead:
PM Ranil Wickremasinghe as sworn as Acting President as per the constitution. He comes with a deep understanding of the internal dynamics of Sri Lanka’s intra-party politics. The island nation needs political stability to overcome its economic crisis. The new soon-to-be President will have to urgently take measures to control the country’s rapidly declining economic situation.
end of Rajapaksa regime
