The arrest, assault, and questioning of protestors and journalists

2022-09-13

A crisis of major magnitude is taking place in Sri Lanka. The world has not yet taken adequate notice of the impact of the economic downturn due to the inability of the Government to pay the foreign loans, as a result of which it is suffering from the worst financial crisis ever faced in the country. 

The direct result of this crisis is that most of the schools, public institutions, and almost the entire way of life in the country have come to a virtual halt due to the inability of the Government to pay for the oil that is needed for the country. Travel has become extremely difficult and inconvenient, and even the Government servants are being asked to work from their homes in order to avoid travelling. 

Meanwhile, in almost every area of the country, massive protests have been taking place. These protests have been going on day in and day out, with the numbers ever increasing. Last Saturday’s (9) monumental protest at Galle Face saw incredible attendance, as almost everyone is facing the consequences of skyrocketing inflation, which has made the cost of living unbearable. Already, the malnutrition level of children has risen, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), to 1.7% of the entire population of children in Sri Lanka. Out of this, 17% are said to be suffering from acute forms of malnourishment. Due to this and many other serious deprivations, it is not a surprise that the people have taken to protest in order to draw the attention of the Government to bring about solutions to these problems. Meanwhile, the Government, which has attempted to find support from foreign agencies like the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, and other sources, has been clearly told that unless the acute political crisis in the country is solved and political stability is brought back, the likelihood of any considerable support from outside is unlikely. 

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