Anti-government protest strike in Sri Lanka shuts schools, businesses -Breaking
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© Reuters. Protestors place their underwears on temporary metal barriers that were erected to stop protesters from the main entrance of the parliament. This was done during the nationwide Harthal by trade unions, which is a peaceful demonstration demanding President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s resignation.Uditha Jayasinghe, Alasdair Pala
COLOMBO, (Reuters) – Thousands of businesses, schools, and shops closed Friday in Sri Lanka as workers from both the public and private sectors went on strike demanding that the President and government resign for mishandling the worst financial crisis the country has seen in many decades.
The country was hit hard by rising oil prices, the pandemic and tax cuts implemented by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s government, Sri Lanka now has as low as $50 million worth of foreign reserves. This week, Sri Lanka’s finance minister stated that the nation is left with only 50 million dollars.
A lack of import fuel, food and medicine has led to violent protests against the government that have lasted more than a month.
Friday saw major shopping centers close and commuters left without a way to get around, as train and bus operators joined the strike.
Colombo, the commercial capital of Colombo was not open on Friday.
The strike was also supported by healthcare workers, but emergency services were not affected.
Students from many universities and protesters camped out in front of the road leading to parliament, where they held a sit-in. As an insult to the leadership, some hung their unwashed underwear onto the barricades. On some vests and underpants, messages such as “Gotta get home”, a rallying cry of protesters were written.
We are not here to be lied to by politicians. Purnima Muhandiram (42 years old), a professional in advertising, said that they want the president of this country and his government to leave.
On Friday, Sajith Premadasa, leader of the Opposition told Parliament that the opposition wanted to file a motion of no confidence against President Obama and his government.
Rajapaksa refuses to quit, calling instead for a united government under his leadership.
Prasanna Ranatunge, chief whip of the government and minister for public security, stated that they have repeatedly called for the formation a unity or interim government. However the opposition has declined to support them.
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