Where is the mobilization in Sri Lanka, a country hit by a historic economic and social crisis, and where the demonstrators are demanding the departure of the clan in power? RFI went to Galle Face Square, the main gathering place for demonstrators in Colombo.
With our special correspondent in Colombo, Jelena Tomic
After more than a month of protests across the country to demand the resignation of the Rajapaksa clan, the mobilization seems to be stalling. In question, the terrible crisis affecting the 23 million Sri Lankans, more concerned about their daily survival.
On the permanent camp place Galle Face, in front of the residence of the president, one finds especially militants of the first hour, like Roshan Yaheya.
I’ve been here since day one, like everyone else in this square. For most of us, it’s not a personal fight. We are fighting for the future of our children, for the next generation. We have witnessed for more than thirty years divisions on the basis of caste, race, gender and we don’t want to see that anymore, we want it to stop. We want unity and peace. Tamils, Sinhalese, Buddhists, Christians, Muslims… all are part of this country. Everyone has rights; the right to express oneself, to demonstrate. So we want to protect our freedoms. This is the cause for which we fight here.
A struggle that is far from over. A new major mobilization is planned within a fortnight.
They don’t care about us every day. They just change heads without taking any real action to fix the problems. We struggle, we suffer, we have no more fuel, electricity, food… Inflation is exploding. This government must be fired, they must leave and make way for a new leader from the younger generation.
The anger of Charith Kumara, waiter in Colombo
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