Celebrations in Sri Lanka have quickly evaporated with the election of Ranil Wickremesinghe as president. Instead, the economic crisis shows no sign of abating and violent crackdowns on protesters continue in response to ongoing calls for meaningful political and economic reform.
This comes after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was driven from office after months of calls from protestors to stand down. The former President fled to the Maldives on 13 July and subsequently resigned after protesters stormed the presidential residences and other government buildings. He is now in Singapore, with his replacement stating that there is no set date for his return, fearing it could inflame political tensions further.
This was in response to the worst crisis Sri Lanka has faced since independence. Poor economic management by the former government has left the country with a foreign debt of more than $51 billion, leaving it unable to pay for imports of basic goods, such as food, fuel and medical supplies. This has caused a scarcity of goods, with food and fuel prices soaring and people lining up for hours at petrol stations. This brought protesters out on the streets in large numbers, particularly in Colombo, to demand government action and accountability.
Wickremesinghe, who became acting president on 13 July when Mr Rajapaksa fled, was elected as president by Sri Lankan MPs on 20 July, soundly defeating his rival 134 votes to 82. Wickremesinghe has served as Prime Minister six times, never serving a full term, with his latest stint in May this year as part of an unsuccessful attempt by the former president to remain in power.
The decision was immediately criticised by protesters, who pointed out that the new President is close with the Rajapaksa family and arguably owes his position to the support of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna party. There are also fears that Wickremesinghe will protect the Rajapaksa’s from prosecution against accusations levelled against them. This, according to protesters, is evidence that the political change they have called for has not eventuated.
The fears of protesters seem to have been justified. President Wickremesinghe has vowed to crack down on protests, condemning them as “against the law” and calling protesters “fascists”, indicating that he would not hesitate to respond harshly.
On the same day Wickremesinghe was declared president, a court order was issues forbidding anyone from gathering within 50 metres of the statue at Galle Face in Colombo, the same spot where thousands of protesters have camped for months in protest.
The new government has also extended a state of emergency for another month, in a bid to control political unrest, giving the authorities powers to detain people, limit public gatherings and search private property. Authorities also raided and cleared a protest camp on government property, with footage showing armed soldiers in riot gear tearing down tents. Organisers claim that at least 50 protesters were injured in the raid.
To Sri Lankans, this represents a depressing status quo. One where legitimate demands for political and economic reform are met with state violence.
It is in the best interests of Wickremesinghe and his government to win the support of both opposition parties and the protesters. The best way to achieve this is to stop crackdowns on protesters and open the door to a power sharing agreement with opposition parties. The new president would also do well to listen to protesters demands of political reform, including a reduction in executive powers, the introduction of stronger anti-corruption measures and a strengthening of democratic institutions.
Sri Lanka will also need the support of the international community if it is to survive this crisis. Attacks on protesters have been condemned by the United Nations Human Rights Commission and Amnesty International. The UK High Commissioner and the US Ambassador have also made public statements outlining their concern and calling for authorities to “act with restraint and avoid violence”. Considering Sri Lanka is reliant on these countries for trade preferences and economic assistance, it would be wise for Wickremesinghe to refrain from state violence, listen to protesters grievances and project good governance.
Before Sri Lanka can begin to lift itself out its economic crisis it desperately needs political stability. The election of Wickremesinghe and the establishment he represents is an afront to protesters who have spent months calling for legitimate reforms. If the new president is to win over long suffering Sri Lankans, he needs to respect the human rights of protesters, form an inclusive all-party government and enact meaningful political reforms that strengthen democracy and eliminate corruption.
Doing so will provide much needed legitimacy and stability for the difficult road ahead.
