As protesters continue to demonstrate anger amid dire economic challenges, Sri Lanka’s parliament is expected to reconvene on Tuesday amid speculation over a no trust vote. On Monday, president Gotabaya Rajapaksa admitted that patience among the citizens was wearing thin, and that it was justified.
“During the last two and a half years we have had vast challenges. The pandemic, as well as the debt burden, and some mistakes on our part. They need to be rectified. We have to correct them and move forward. We need to regain the trust of the people,” the president was quoted as saying in reports.
“Today, people are under immense pressure due to this economic crisis. I deeply regret this situation,” he stressed, underling that anger among people – forced to wait in long lines to get essential items at high prices – was not misplaced.
Sri Lanka – which has over 25 billion dollars in foreign debt – is battling its worst crisis in decades. People have been struggling to get supplies of essentials and long queues outside fuelling refilling stations have been common.