Month: July 2022

By Raju Prabath Lankaloka Gotabhaya Rajapakse had to flee both his official residence and the office on July 9, re-confirming that even a dictatorial frenzy ruler would have to bend his knees to the power of the people. All three places, namely the President's official residence, the President's Secretariat and the Prime Minister's official residence, which were impossible to penetrate due to their heavy security, were taken under the control of the people within a concise time. Gotabaya's name was added to the long list of cynics who retreated from power in the face of mass protests, including Marcos in the Philippines, Pinochet in Chile, the Shah of Iran, and Ben Ali in Tunisia. As of this writing, it has been confirmed that he has left the country for the Maldives. Even at the ver...

July 11, 2022 An Article by the Asian Human Rights Commission SRI LANKA: A New Era Of Politics Begins In Sri Lanka By Basil Fernando A peaceful mass uprising on 9th July 2022 has brought about the end of a political era which started with the promulgation of the 1978 constitution of Sri Lanka: that constitution completely undermined democracy, the rule of law and human rights in the country. During a period of continuous protests over 3 months, the people constantly demanded the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. However, Rajapaksa had repeatedly refused to comply with the people’s mandate, claiming that he had been elected by an overwhelming majority of the people. Finally the exasperated people gave the president an ultimatum: resign by July 9, 2022! A vast numb...