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Protesters, power cuts and Sri Lanka’s persistent president

Power cuts, and rising food and fuel costs are unifying much of Sri Lanka against President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Police use water cannon on demonstrators during a protest against Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa near the parliament, amid the country's economic crisis in Colombo, Sri Lanka, April 8, 2022.
Police use water cannon on demonstrators during a protest against Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa near the parliament, amid the country's economic crisis in Colombo, Sri Lanka, April 8 [Dinuka Liyanawatte / Reuters]
Published On 13 Apr 2022

Empty shelves, rising food and fuel costs, and power cuts are unifying much of Sri Lanka against its president, Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

And now, the economic crisis may have gotten even worse. Rajapaksa’s government is announcing the country is no longer able to repay billions in loans.

How did this happen? And what is in store for the people of Sri Lanka as the country continues to struggle with this new economic reality?

In this episode: 

  • Marisa DeSilva, activist
  • Ahilan Kadirgamar, senior lecturer at the University of Jaffna
  • Dr Vasan Ratnasingam, media representative, Government Medical Officers’ Association

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This episode was produced by Amy Walters with Ney Alvarez, Ruby Zaman, Alexandra Locke, Negin Owliaei, and Malika Bilal. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan, Adam Abou-Gad is our assistant engagement producer, and Aya Elmileik is the lead of engagement for AJE Podcasts.

Source: Al Jazeera