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In Sri Lanka, students outside PM’s home want his resignation

Sunday, 24 April 2022 5:49 PM [ Last Update: Sunday, 24 April 2022 5:55 PM ]

Sri Lankan university students mob Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa’s home in Colomboon, April 24, 2022. (Photo by AFP)

Thousands of Sri Lankan university students have surrounded the residence of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, demanding his resignation over his handling of the economic crisis.

Supporters of the Inter-College Federation of College students (IUSF) were seen chanting outside Rajapaksa's compound in Colombo. The Sunday protest saw student leaders scale the fence of Rajapaksa's residence.

Police said Rajapaksa was not on the premises at the time and the crowd left peacefully.

The demonstration took place despite police erected barricades on various roads around the capital to stop them from linking up with demonstrators elsewhere.

"You can block the road, but can't stop our struggle until the entire government goes home," one student leader said while standing on top of the walls.

In recent days, protesters have also been camped daily outside the seafront office of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Mahinda's younger brother, demanding for the pair to step down.

Mahinda has reiterated that a unity government could be formed but only under his leadership.

Sri Lanka’s president will not resign despite protests: Minister

Sri Lanka

The ongoing demonstrations have also seen crowds attempt to storm the homes and offices of government figures.

This week, a man was shot dead when police fired on a road blockade in the central town of Rambukkana.

Sri Lanka's economic collapse began to be felt earlier this year after the coronavirus pandemic torpedoed vital revenue from tourism and remittances.

Gotabaya had been a popular figure among Sri Lanka's powerful Sinhala Buddhist majority, who credit him with ending the country’s 26-year-long civil war in 2009.

However, as the tourism industry — the island-nation’s economic mainstay — declined due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, his popularity waned as well.

Sri Lanka is dealing with its worst economic downturn since independence in 1948.

Fuel prices have risen by 76 percent since the beginning of the year, sparking protests across the country.

The government is seeking a bailout by asking for its 17th rescue package from the International Monetary Fund. It has also asked for loans from India and China.

Finance Minister Ali Sabry warned Friday that the economic situation in Sri Lanka will likely worsen.

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