May 04 2022.
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In an unprecedented move, Sri Lankans of all religions, ages, and socio-economic statuses have taken to the streets to demand the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his family in the face of a crippling economic crisis as a result of government mismanagement. Consequently, power cuts, fuel shortages, and soaring prices have plagued the country, significantly affecting the livelihood of the public.
Small-scale protests in the country snowballed, culminating in the large-scale protest site adjacent to the Presidential Secretariat, the site renamed and popularly referred to as GotaGoGama - a fully-fledged, self-sufficient protest village powered entirely by the peaceful protesters. A few metres away opposite Temple Trees, a smaller, but just as spirited protest site - MynaGoGama - emerged recently. The protests, however, are not limited to Sri Lankan soil. Sri Lankans domiciled overseas have stepped out in droves, with protests proliferating in numbers with more planned in cities across the world. At the time of writing, a GotaGoGama branch was established in London, UK. A few Sri Lankans from across the world shared their thoughts on why they joined the protests.
This revolution is a step in the right direction, even though I am thousands of miles away from home I wanted to do my part. Change is near! Power to my people!
Warren Jansen Mississauga, Celebrations square, Toronto, Canada
As Sri Lankans living away from our motherland, we feel helpless not being able to be out in the streets back home voicing out against the corrupt regime. We feel the pain when even the basic necessities aren’t available for our people. We are showing our support by donations and by peaceful protests to say, even though we aren’t in Sri Lanka right now, we are in solidarity with our brave people fighting against the corrupt political regime that has been plaguing our country for years!.
Dakshina Jayakody St. Paul, MN (USA) protest
We believe that the smallest action can create a ripple effect against injustice. So we did the least we could do at that moment, to make a statement where it may matter. It was just our family, not an organised mass-scale protest. We stand with everyone back at home who is making a difference and taking a step towards a better and united Sri Lanka.
Nuwan Rathnayaka, United Nations Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland protest
I joined the protest in London because I felt like it was the LEAST I could do especially from a place of privilege. Sri Lanka has been so generous and kind to me that it makes me so incredibly sad to see what it's come to. I stood in protest for my family back home, my friends back home, and for my people back home.
Zainab Faizal, London, UK protest
As a Sri Lankan living abroad we have to say how safe the children of the country are compared to the country we live in, but today even the medicine needed for a child in my home country is in short supply. That is why we are fighting to send home the corrupt rulers responsible for this. And the assets of these corrupt rulers should be audited and all the money stolen from the innocent people of our country should be returned to the people.
Dilhari Kulasingha, Spilamberto, Italy protest
As expatriate Sri Lankans, we have to say that there is no point in having a government that does not even protect the basic rights of the people living in Sri Lanka, both the President and the Prime Minister should resign, 225 should go home and a group of educated and intelligent young leaders should be elected to Parliament.
Lakshan Fernando, Spilamberto, Italy protest
We strongly condemn the actions of politicians who do not stand by the people during a peaceful struggle. What the country needs in the future is citizen politics, not tribal politics, and we will fight for it.
Jayawilal Liyanage, Spilamberto, Italy protest
As a mother, it breaks my heart to think that many kids like my daughter are suffering unfairly due to these corrupt politicians' actions. It's so unfair! Our kids do not deserve this future. Our hearts are always with our people!
Shereena Neludi Serasingha, Pesaro, Italy protest
Highly appreciate the effort taken by the organizers and all the Sri Lankans who participated in this event even in very bad weather. This is not only against Rajapakse's but against all the corrupted politicians who bankrupted our mother country.”
Hanesha Nadee Ama Udawatta, Spilamberto, Italy protest
As a Sri Lankan who is living in New Zealand I too went for the protest which was held here in Mount Wellington, Auckland. We are saddened by the actions of the Sri Lankan government toward the economic crisis and how it affects our loved ones and our people who are currently living and suffering in Sri Lanka. Even though we live here, we feel for our people and want the President to stand down or give proper solutions to this matter immediately.”
Sanduni Godakumbura, Mount Wellington, Auckland, New Zealand protest
Let's save our country from this bankrupt, refugee situation. Our island does not deserve this. This struggle does not end here. We are with them today and tomorrow until justice is done for all in Sri Lanka. ”
Tilan Warnakulasuriya, Pesaro, Italy protest
Being thousands of miles away from home and seeing the country go through such times really gets to you. You feel helpless at times, as if you can’t do much to have an impact on the situation. Participating in protests and trying to bring awareness to the people here was my way of standing in solidarity with the people in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka, being such a small country, often gets overlooked and I think we succeeded if we brought awareness to the locals here about the current Sri Lankan crisis. My hope is that we gain enough momentum in the international arena to increase pressure for effective change.
Michelle - Columbus, Ohio, USA protest
1 Comments
Ajith W says:
May 05, 2022 at 03:12 pmVery good article Ms. Rihaab. I always enjoy reading your work. Thank you for sharing the voices of our brethren who are standing alongside us across the ocean. This will be an important event in Sri Lankan history, and we are proud to be a part of it. We can truly say we fought for our country with everything we have!