Protesters at Sri Lanka’s main camp continue to reject any plan to abandon what they view as the epicenter of a social upheaval, despite authorities’ Friday afternoon deadline to vacate amid the ongoing economic crisis.
A handful of tents still stand at the Gota Go Gama camp, named after former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa who was toppled last month. They await a court ruling after more than one hundred days of demonstrations, and the camp remains intact despite police pressure to leave.
“We will pursue legal avenues and refuse to bow to corrupt politicians. Let’s test the system,” explained activist Angelo Kulasuriya to Efe. “This was only a police announcement, not a court order.”
He added, “We have not decided to leave Gota Go Gama yet. A decision will come after the court rules. Even if we must depart, the movement endures. This would be a setback, not the end of the struggle,” said chapter activist Udari Ayesha.
The protesters reacted to a police ultimatum issued on Wednesday demanding evacuation by 5 p.m. on Friday.
Authorities warned of legal consequences for those who defy the order and urged compliance with the law and not obstructing the public.
Earlier warnings included arrests of activists and protesters for alleged damage to public property and non-compliance with court orders.
Among those taken into custody was Joseph Stalin, general secretary of the Teachers’ Union, who gathered in the capital on Thursday to mobilize support for his release.
Human rights defenders, including activists like Joseph, have seen growing international attention in recent weeks, with calls to protect them rather than punish them. Mary Lawlor, the UN special rapporteur on human rights defenders, voiced concern on Wednesday.
Ranil Wickremesinghe, the island nation’s new president, cautioned that violence would not be tolerated while reiterating a commitment to uphold protesters’ rights.
He underscored that peaceful protest is a fundamental right, pledged to protect nonviolence, and emphasized democracy, announcing a state of emergency shortly after taking office two weeks ago. These measures have drawn criticism from opponents who say they curb civil liberties.
“I have been here for 118 days. The government is openly trying to silence us. Police are raiding our homes now,” said Samali Mandira, an activist, describing the intensified pressure on demonstrators.
Sri Lanka faces what is described as its worst economic crisis in history, marked by a severe debt load and a lack of liquidity to import essential goods such as medicine, fuel, food, and gas.
In the midst of the crisis, the island nation resumed negotiations with the United States last week as the International Monetary Fund considers a loan to help address the crisis. This backdrop sets the stage for ongoing protests and the government’s broader response to public unrest. (Reuters)