
Today, Sri Lanka is facing its worst crisis since its independence from the United Kingdom in 1948. Since October 20, 2021, fuel prices have risen by 259 per cent and amid power blackouts and shortages of everything from fuel to cooking oil to food, Sri Lankans have finally had enough. Mass unrest and violent clashes with the police are now common.
The country’s severe economic crisis is the direct responsibility of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Allegations of nepotism were rife after he installed his elder brother Mahinda as Prime Minister. Since March, protesters have taken to the streets demanding the resignation of the Rajapaksa-led government. In May, Mahinda resigned as prime minister. During a tumultuous weekend in July, thousands of anti-government protesters gathered in the capital city of Colombo, where they breached police barricades and occupied the ceremonial presidential palace. Meanwhile, the home of the current—and former six-time—prime minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, was burned to the ground. Wickremesinghe has since been elected President, and Rajapaksa has fled to the Maldives. The 73-year-old’s departure marks the end of one of the most powerful political dynasties in South Asia.