Crisis in Sri Lanka: Namal Rajapakse responds to the rumble against his clan

Members of the Inter-University Federation of Students call on Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to resign during a protest in Colombo on June 20, 2022. REUTERS - DINUKA LIYANAWATTE

Text by: RFI Follow

1 min

Sri Lanka is sinking deeper and deeper into crisis.

Fuel shortages are getting worse, forcing the government to close schools and send civil servants to work from home.

The Asian country is going through the worst economic crisis in its history.

The Rajapakse clan, which has ruled for most of the past two decades, is held responsible for this debacle.

Our regional correspondent was able to speak with one of the clan members.

He responds to these charges.

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With our special correspondent back from Colombo,

Several times a week, Sri Lankans march past the office of the president, Gotabaya Rajapakse, in Colombo.

And a permanent camp, called "Va-t'en Gotabaya", increases the pressure.

But the president refuses to resign.

The population, cornered by shortages, is angry against this Rajapakse clan, which has monopolized most of the powers and precipitated the country into this crisis, by reducing taxes for example.

Namal Rajapaksa, nephew of the president, deputy and former minister, answers:

I think this anger is temporary: people are having a hard time, and it just so happens that a Rajapakse is running the country at that time.

But there is no single person responsible, it was the pandemic that brought about this crisis.

Our family has been in politics for 65 years, and we've been through similar times before.

The whole nation must unite now to get out of the crisis, instead of clashing.

And if people are not satisfied, they can vote against us in the next election.

The Rajapakse party, the SLPP, still holds the majority in Parliament.

It is therefore unlikely that he will call an election before the end of the legislature, in 2025.

►Also listen: Colombo Port City, an attractive economic zone with worrying autonomy

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