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Sri Lanka: Protesters Reject Rajapaksa’s Negotiation Offer, Continue to Demand Resignation

Thousands of Sri Lankan citizens have been protesting in Colombo for five days straight, calling for an end to the “corrupt political culture” that has dominated since independence.

April 14, 2022

Author

Statecraft Staff
Sri Lanka: Protesters Reject Rajapaksa’s Negotiation Offer, Continue to Demand Resignation 
Sri Lankan PM Mahinda Rajapaksa has called on the protestors’ representatives to negotiate and  “discuss their proposals to resolve the challenges currently facing the nation.”
IMAGE SOURCE: NDTV

Protesters in Sri Lanka have reiterated that they will accept nothing less than the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister (PM) Mahinda Rajapaksa, after the government attempted to negotiate with protesters who have been camping near the President’s office in Colombo for the past five days.

In a statement released by his office, Rajapaksa called on the gathered demonstrators’ representatives to “discuss their proposals to resolve the challenges currently facing the nation.”

Thousands of citizens participated in a days-long sit-in protest at Galle Face Green, which they have renamed “Gotagogama,” meaning “Gota Go Village.” The demonstrators have vowed to continue their sit-in until the government is ousted. They have also called for reforms to the existing “corrupt political culture” that has tainted the Sri Lankan government since independence.

The crowd has been growing daily, with individuals setting up food stalls, medical facilities, and phone charging stations. While the island nation has been witnessing pockets of demonstrations across the country, the protest at Galle Face Green has been the largest show of public dissent.

The government has called for an end to the protests but has refused to resign. “Every second you protest on the road we are losing dollars,” PM Rajapaksa declared during an address to the nation earlier this week. Over a week ago, his government chief whip, Johnston Fernando, confirmed that the President would not “resign from his post under any circumstances.”

Sri Lanka is currently in the middle of an unprecedented economic crisis that has depleted its foreign reserves and led to record-high inflation. The government has been unable to import essential items such as food, medicines, and fuel, leading to severe shortages. The country has also instituted power cuts that have lasted up to 12 hours per day as part of a cost-cutting measure. 

In fact, just a day before PM Rajapaksa’s call for negotiations with the protesters, the government announced that it would be defaulting on its $51 billion foreign debt. As a result, Sri Lanka will now be able to use around $200 million that was originally set aside for an interest payment due on Monday to purchase essential items such as oil and medicines.

Sri Lanka Economic Crisis Coverage:

Over the past few weeks, all 26 Cabinet members have resigned, the opposition has refused to join a unity government, coalition ally Freedom Party has withdrawn its support, and 50 Members of Parliament (MPs) from the ruling party have announced their decision to leave the party. Following this, the ruling party’s seats have been reduced to 95 from 157, effectively erasing Rajapaksa’s majority in the 225-seat Parliament.

Adding to the Rajapaksa brothers’ challenges, the opposition, led by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya party, has filed a no-confidence motion against the government. However, passing a trust vote will be easier said than done, as it requires a two-thirds majority in the Parliament.

In an attempt to bring an end to the economic and political turmoil, Sri Lankan envoy to India Milinda Moragoda met with Indian Minister of Finance Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday to discuss the status of the two countries’ economic partnership. In response, Sitharaman vowed to “stand by Sri Lanka to overcome its challenges.” 

Moragoda expressed Colombo’s desire to secure a “consensual agreement on debt restructuring” and sought an additional $2 billion from India. An Indian official cited by Reuters confirmed: “We are definitely looking to help them out and are willing to offer more swap lines and loans,” adding that while the news about Sri Lanka defaulting on its foreign debt payments was concerning, up to $2 billion could be given to them in “swaps and support.”  The source also claimed that this was in furtherance of India’s larger goal of reducing Sri Lanka’s debt levels and dependence on China, which would allow New Delhi to emerge as a “stronger partner.”

India has already provided $1.9 billion to Sri Lanka as loans, credit lines, and currency swaps. Colombo has also sought an additional $500 million line of credit for fuel. Furthermore, New Delhi has provided sugar, rice, and wheat; in fact, it delivered 11,000 tonnes of rice on Tuesday.

Apart from seeking assistance from India, Sri Lankan authorities are also preparing for discussions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a loan programme. Newly-appointed Finance Minister Ali Sabry revealed that they intend to acquire a $3-$4 billion loan from “external sources” to tide over the next “six to nine months.”

The government has also called on non-residential citizens working abroad to send money to help revive its foreign exchange reserves. The Central Bank’s governor, Nandalal Weerasinghe, urged Sri Lankans to “support the country at this crucial juncture by donating much needed foreign exchange,” reassuring them that the donated money would only be used for importing essentials.

Author

Statecraft Staff

Editorial Team

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