| 2022 Sri Lankan political crisis | |
|---|---|
| Part of the Sri Lankan economic crisis and the 2022 Sri Lankan protests | |
 Protesters protest in front of the Presidential Secretariat | |
| Date | 3rd April 2022 – November 2022 |
| Location | |
| Caused by | |
| Status |
|
| Lead figures | |
Gotabaya Rajapaksa Non-centralized leadership | |
The 2022 Sri Lankan political crisis was a political crisis in Sri Lanka due to the power struggle between President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the people of Sri Lanka. It was fueled by the anti-government protests and demonstrations by the public due to the economic crisis in the country. The anti-government sentiment across various parts of Sri Lanka has triggered a state of political instability that is unprecedented in the nation's history.[4]
The political crisis began on 3 April 2022, after all 26 members of the Second Gotabaya Rajapaksa cabinet with the exception of Prime Minister Rajapaksa resigned en masse overnight. Critics said the resignation was not valid as they did not follow the constitutional protocol and thus deemed it a "sham",[5][6][7] and several were reinstated in different ministries the next day.[8] There were even growing calls on forming a caretaker government to run the country or for snap elections, but the latter option was deemed unviable due to paper shortages and concerns over election expenditure, which would often cost in billions.[9]
Protestors have taken to streets to show their anger and displeasure over the mismanagement of the economy by the government and the protestors urged the President Gotabaya to immediately step down for a political change;[10] he refused to do so,[11][12][13] later eventually fleeing to Singapore and resigning on 14 July.[14] Main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya had determined to abolish the 20th amendment by bringing a private members Bill in order to scrap the executive powers of Executive Presidency.[15]
- ^ Pathi, Krutika (13 July 2022). "Thousands protest against Sri Lanka's new acting president". Associated Press. Colombo. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled on a military jet on Wednesday after angry protesters seized his home and office, and appointed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe as acting president while he is overseas.
- ^ Marian, Teena (14 July 2022). "Speaker yet to receive GRs resignation". News First. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
- ^ Jayasinghe, Uditha (14 July 2022). "Sri Lanka awaits president's resignation after flight". Reuters. Colombo. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
- ^ "Rajapaksa Clan Losing Grip on Power in Sri Lanka". thediplomat.com. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
- ^ "Sri Lanka's cabinet ministers resign as crisis protesters defy curfew". BBC News. 3 April 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
- ^ "Cabinet resigns". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
- ^ "Sri Lanka main SJB slams 'sham' cabinet resignation, says no deal". EconomyNext. 4 April 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
- ^ "4 new Ministers sworn in". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
- ^ "Will our problems be solved by a general election? | Daily FT". www.ft.lk. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
- ^ Kuruwita, Zaheena Rasheed,Rathindra. "Thousands in Sri Lanka insist Rajapaksa family quit politics". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Gotabaya Rajapaksa: Economic crisis protesters defy curfew in Sri Lanka". BBC News. 3 April 2022. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
- ^ "'Go Home, Gota': Huge Protest in Sri Lanka Mounts Pressure on Rajapaksa to Quit". The Wire. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
- ^ Arulthas, Mario. "Sri Lanka: Gota needs to go – but so does the ethnocratic state". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
- ^ Wong, Tessa. "Sri Lanka: President Gotabaya Rajapaksa flees the country on military jet". BBC News. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
- ^ "SJB moves to abolish 20th amendment - Breaking News | Daily Mirror". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 10 April 2022.