The nation of Sri Lanka has slipped into chaos after months of protests
reached a tipping point this week when protesters took over government
buildings and forced the president to resign.
The South Asian island nation of 22 Million people, is facing one
of the worst economic crisis since it gained independence in 1948,
the prime minister has been sworn in as the acting president and
a new interim government will be elected by parliament.
But for ordinary Sri Lankan's the struggle continues, Stephanie Sai
reports.
Monday. They got it in the economically crippled island nation of
Sri Lanka. Moment of celebration After weeks of despair, Protesters
camped outside government buildings for more than two months are
now retreating their main demand having been met.
President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has resigned.
But we have done for the past few days has affected hash on her phone,
and they asked hard for months. Sri Lankan's have been waiting in
miles long lines to get basic goods. At least 16. People have reportedly
died while standing in those lines.
Formula diapers. Everything has prices have skyrocketed in such a
way that it's very, very difficult for normal basic humans of Sri
Lanka to get their basic needs and necessities.
Protesters blame the Rajapaksa's who have wielded power in Sri Lanka
for nearly two decades for the country's collapse, accusing them
of corruption and gross mismanagement. They took a dip in the president's
luxurious pool.
While 57 year old Daisy said she struggled for months to find cooking
gas. It's very difficult to fight the smoke, even though I'm a heart
patient. I'm working with the smoke.
Like 70% of Treat Lankan's Daisy's family has had to cut down on
food. We are fed up with these things. When we get up early in the
morning, we think of what's going to happen next. Sometimes we cook
using things planted in her home garden.
On the streets of Colombo. A string of vehicles are parked gas stations
are deserted. There's no fuel. Tanaka Fernando, a truck driver has
been waiting to get gas for a week. He eats and sleeps here.
And
we are not able to have a bath or go to the washroom. There is no
date or day when the petrol will come. We are not able to go to our
jobs. There is no way to get an income.
Sri Lanka those over $51 billion to foreign creditors and has run
out of cash reserves. We don't have money to import
Basic necessities for daily life like full
Like gas.
Like medicines like food piece. Saravanamuttu is the founder of the
Center for Policy Alternatives. Sri Lanka. He blames the government
for failing its people. This is what has brought the country to its
knees. The combination of the Rajapakse is
Gross mismanagement.
And callous disregard for public centers.
And now
Various no yearning
Or liking of the Rajapakse is who were the heroes of yesterday.
The Rajapaksa family's grip on Tree Lanka began in 2000 and five
when go to buy. Rajapakse's elder brother was elected president.
Several years later, the two brothers orchestrated a brutal campaign
against the Tamil Tigers, ending a long civil war. They were accused
of war crimes but remained in power.
Citizens may have succeeded in ousting the Rajapakse is the larger
problem. Siri Lankans face have no easy solutions.