We are deeply concerned about the impact of the ongoing economic crisis on the people, particularly the poor and vulnerable groups and reaffirm our commitment to support Sri Lanka at this difficult time as SCJMs.

At this crisis moment, the youth of the country started protesting against the current situation of poverty in the country. Though this struggle on the grounds of Galle Face Green officially began on the 9th of April 2022, the fire in the ashes were from the time of the so called independence in 1948.

The demands of the people, angry over the country’s worst economic crisis over last 74 years, were loud and clear. The slogan was “I am the one who did the best” and the response of the public was: “Gota Go Home”. This meant that not the president alone should resign but the whole Rajapaksha regime should be diminished and thus a change of system is a must. It was a consistent demand, referring to the beleaguered president. The protesters on Saturday massed in capital Colombo’s seafront Galle Face area, where thousands of people had been camping for three months, calling for the president to resign for his handling of the economic crisis.

On May 9th 2022, the Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksha resigned from his office, and on 9th June, Basil Rajapaksha, the financial minister, was forced to leave his office, and for people this was a victory.

With their withdrawals, again the President Gotabaya Rahjapaksha gave an appointment to Mr Ranil Wickramasinge who was not even in the parliamentary list, as he has been defeated five times.

People were waiting to hear the resignation of President Gota, instead when he started again with Ranil Wickramasinghe, on 9th July 2022, protestors overran the Presidential palace, and his office.

On the 9th of July after the victory

On the 8th of July night together with people in the Galle face Green

Nearly two million from all over Sri Lanka, in spite of curfew and with the situation of no fuel, no petrol, no diesel and no transportation, the irate anti-government protesters on Saturday barged into embattled President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s official residence in central Colombo’s high-security zone in Fort area after breaking the barricades. The one and only demand was that they both should resign immediately. The protesters also torched the private residence of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, even after he offered to resign. Those who initiated the people’s struggle for a just cause, namely for a Democratic Government, are the core group of today standing for justice and sovereignty of Sri Lanka. And yet there are little groups who are still with slavish minds serving the Rajapaksha Regime.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is expected to quit on Wednesday the 13th July 2022, marking a dramatic end to the powerful clan’s hold over Sri Lankan politics for more than two decades.

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena declared on Saturday the 9th July 2022 night that President Rajapaksa had agreed to step down and Prime Minister Wickremesinghe waits pending without taking a proper decision.

On Sunday morning (10th July 2022), many protesters were still camping in the president’s official residence. They are enjoying all facilities in the Presidential House and office and now cooking food, bathing in the swimming pool, playing the piano, and even enjoying games of card and carom in the house. Meanwhile, police said they have arrested more than 3,000 people in connection with the protests on Saturday.

We are just a drop in the mighty Ocean. We, the sisters of Charity, having gone through this critical and crucial situation of our country, joined the other religious groups, are supporting the protesters who demand for truth and justice. At certain point, even to the military our support is given, when it was a worthy cause in the name of humanity. At this moment, the religious leaders and Lawyers have a big role to play. We continue to pray for all those who are in the decision making position for wisdom, intelligence and courage. Our main mission now is working for Peace in the country. We are being constantly reminded of the last words of our Founder, Peter Joseph Triest, “You are Gods on earth”!

Sr. Pradeepika Perera