In Sri Lanka, the population continues to pound the pavement despite the ban on demonstrations. For months, a terrible economic crisis has caused food and energy shortages and protesters are now calling for the resignation of the government.
Social networks are cut, a curfew is decreed, the army is deployed and the state of emergency declared and yet, the demonstrations continue this Sunday all over Sri Lanka, reports our correspondent in the region, Come Bastin.
After a week where the power cuts were particularly severe, the anger of the population, pushed to the limit by months of shortages, explodes. “ People have no more electricity, no more gas, no more food! So they are frustrated and angry. They can’t stand the government for failing to lift the economy from its pitiful state. That’s why they gather in the streets, despite curfews and bans, to protest peacefully. This government must resign to find a solution to the economic crisis “says a protester.
This Sunday, the heavily armed Sri Lankan security forces blocked an opposition-led march in Colombo but the processions moved to the suburbs of the capital. “ The curfew remains in effect until Monday just to keep people from protesting. But the population is still protesting by gathering in the streets next to their homes, they are displaying black flags all over the country and it’s wonderful because people are not going to give up. So nothing’s over, it’s only just begun says Jeevani Fernando, a communications consultant in Colombo.
“ The first protests were peaceful.
In particular, she accuses activists close to the government of degenerating the demonstrations: “ The first demonstrations were peaceful. There were mothers with their babies. These protests turned violent, as we now know, due to the involvement of activists close to the government. “. And she reports numerous arrests during the demonstrations. ” We also saw images of police breaking into houses and beating up people for no reason. From the moment the damage was done to public property, the president rushed to impose the curfew, many people were arrested and charged under the Prevention of Terrorism Act “, according to the communicator.
around the capital, roads are blocked and checkpoints have been set up by law enforcement. ” My partner left North Colombo. On the road, he was arrested three times, first by the police, then by the special forces and finally by the army. The contents of his social media accounts were checked on his cell phone and he underwent a long interrogation on the reasons for his displacement. An activist, after posting negative content on his account and in which he called on people to unite, was abducted from his home on the evening of the 31st. We learned today that he has been released on bail “, according to the communication consultant in Colombo.
” The little spark ignited”
Hundreds of lawyers urged the president Gotabaya Rajapaksa to revoke the state of emergency to guarantee respect for freedom of expression despite the crisis. The Minister of Youth and Sports condemned the shutdown of social networks by posting a message on Twitter using a VPN. ” I will never condone social media blocking “, thus criticized the minister and nephew of the president, Namal Rajapaksa. ” The availability of VPNs, like the one I’m using right now, makes this kind of blocking completely unnecessary. “, he added
Just like the minister, the inhabitants hijack the cut of social networks. ” The authorities have blocked social networks, it’s a scheme they have used in the past, people are used to it and are prepared for it. We use other alternatives to continue using social networks and share the method with others so that they can bypass this block and continue to share content on the networks. If the authorities thought they could stop us in this way, they are wrong. This blockage only turned the table “says Jeevani Fernando.
Thanks to the networks, the demonstrators seek the support of people around the world, in particular the Sri Lankan diaspora. ” The little spark ignited all over the world. Their plan is not working. People are inspired, encouraged by global support. A few days ago I was disappointed and discouraged but today I am very enthusiastic adds the consultant.
While the curfew officially ends on Monday 4, tensions are expected to continue in the days to come.