The people welcome the traditional Sinhala and Tamil New Year tomorrow with only bleak hopes as the island nation is embroiled in political and social unrest in the middle of a crippling economic crisis.
A political deadlock continued throughout the week, while tragic news of more deaths at queues for fuel shocked the entire nation that watched miserably. Caught in political and economic chaos, the people were in no festive mood to celebrate the New Year in a festive manner.
The people’s calls for the exit of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his Government grew louder on the streets over the week. The protesters in large numbers occupied the Galle Face Green, adjacent to the Presidential Secretariat building in Colombo, also re-naming the place with a tongue-in-cheek “Gota Go Gama” (Gota-Go Village). The youth spirit and creativity were high at the site, and peaceful demonstrations continued day and night braving heavy rains, while volunteers supported with food, water and other provisions. In an attempt to counterweigh the anti-Government protests, a series of protests supporting the Government and the President also sprang up in several areas in the last few days.