In Sri Lanka, a familiar pattern of government incompetence leading to citizen unrest is now taking place. The government imposed import restrictions due to a foreign exchange crisis, causing fear and distrust among the people. This led to a crisis with power cuts, fuel scarcity, and rising public anger. The people expressed their frustration online and in protests, resulting in harsh reprisals from the government. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa responded by imposing a state of emergency. The root of the problem lies in the government’s neglect of the economy and reliance on incompetent individuals. This, combined with reduced revenue and increased spending during the COVID-19 pandemic, led to an economic meltdown. The shortage of fuel, particularly LPG and diesel, caused power cuts and impacted various aspects of daily life. The government’s mishandling of the crisis has eroded public trust, leading to panic buying and informal rationing. Additionally, the power outages have affected bank ATMs and small businesses. Fishermen have also been severely impacted, facing difficulties in obtaining fuel and refrigerated trucks. These issues have resulted in increased fish prices and protests among fishermen. Despite these challenges, Namal Rajapaksa, a member of the ruling family, has attempted to maintain a positive image.
Sri Lanka’s Escalating Crisis: A Disturbing Plunge Into the Danger Zone
