Regrettably, a kind of bloody conflict has erupted between the ruling party and the opposition in Sri Lanka. Emergency had to be imposed there two days ago. Although the emergency was imposed earlier also, but it was for some time, now the emergency which has been imposed is for an indefinite period. The emergency which was imposed earlier was not strictly followed, whereas now the effect of emergency has started showing on the roads as well. The government says that emergency has been imposed for the safety of the people and peace in the country, whereas in reality the emergency has been imposed so that people can not come to the streets and protest. The anger in this neighboring country of ours is such that the opponents of the government are not ready to accept the restrictions. The President is repeatedly appealing to maintain peace. Orders have been given to directly shoot those who damage public property.
Keep in mind, the violence intensified when the then Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa returned to meet the people of his party who came out and started beating the opposing protesters. Violence escalated between the ruling party and the opposition. There has also been rhetoric from both sides that this should not happen, but these statements are for show. The resignation of the Prime Minister has also happened to pacify the anger of the people. The cabinet has also had to resign. Many people from the Rajapaksa family were in the cabinet, all of them have resigned. There have also been reports of some relatives going abroad. Sri Lankan political stalwart Mahinda Rajapaksa may have resigned as prime minister, but his younger brother Gotabaya Rajapaksa is in office as president. He has largely lost his popularity due to the crisis in Sri Lanka. The ruling members of the Rajapaksa family were adamant at first, but now their resignations are really just a mere attempt to quell the anger. It must be said here that if there had not been fresh violence, these resignations would not have happened either. Some leaders and people have died. Now the effort should be that there should be no more violence. Whatever be the country, if the ruling leaders show extremism against any protest, then violence is bound to happen.
The special thing is that earlier only common people were participating in the demonstrations going on in Sri Lanka, but now trade unions have also come into it. The reins of the protest have started going into the hands of various institutions and organisations. This change can cause great instability in Sri Lanka. For example, two days ago the Sri Lanka Medical Association appealed to the government to please do what people want. There should be no violence, otherwise instability will increase in the country. It is natural that if there is violence in the demonstrations, then the pressure on Sri Lanka’s health services will also increase. Even now Sri Lanka’s medical system is under a lot of pressure.
Sri Lanka’s foreign exchange reserves have fallen to 50 million dollars. Sri Lanka is not in a position yet to import medical equipment, medicines. Right now the import of food items in Sri Lanka is more important. That’s why the medical organization has urged that do not go towards violence, if there is more violence, then it will be difficult to handle. Dozens of people are injured in the violence that is still going on and the pressure on hospitals is increasing. The government also wants that there should be no violence, that is why emergency has been declared. Through this, the effort is that the essential services in the country should not be affected, normal life should not be disturbed. Maintain control of the government.
There is a discussion going on to form a national government, meaning a coalition government of all parties, but how will it happen? Opposition parties are not ready for this. They have brought a no-confidence motion, but now it is no longer needed because Mahinda Rajapaksa has resigned from the post of Prime Minister. There is a presidential system in Sri Lanka anyway. It is not at all easy to remove the President there.
There is also one aspect that Buddhist religious leaders have a lot of influence in Sri Lanka, but they are still divided. They also do not want violence, because they are completely dependent on the society. The demand of the people is now quite clear that the Rajapaksa family should be completely removed from power. National government was formed. Some people say that the new government should be formed for some time, while some people are saying that the President’s powers should be reduced before forming it. Right now according to the constitution, there the President is in a very strong position. Sri Lanka’s parliament was strengthened under M Sirisena’s government, but when Gotabaya became president, the constitution was amended to give more powers to the president.
However, India is extending its full help to Sri Lanka. Humanitarian aid, about two billion dollars. It also includes medicines and foodstuffs and fuels. India is trying to help the people there. There are no food items there. There is a shortage of fuel. Help is needed for this. Right now a question is also being asked that the government there has become so unpopular, so why should India help? But India is really helping the people of Sri Lanka.
In times of need, we must first react. We should try to reach there before others reach there, because we are closer to Sri Lanka. Anyway, it is our policy of ‘neighbourhood first’. India has been helping Sri Lanka in the past and is still standing by its side in times of crisis. China can help Sri Lanka in such a time and it has also discussed. But right now we are at the forefront of helping and we should be.
(These are the author’s own views)