Winnipeggers rally to support Sri Lankans, who face worst economic crisis in decades
'People cannot afford to buy the basic necessities,' says Sri Lankan studying at University of Manitoba
As Sri Lanka grapples with its worst economic and political crisis in decades, some Winnipeggers are rallying to send support back home.
The situation in the South Asian country escalated on Monday, as Sri Lanka's prime minister resigned, setting off violent attacks on peaceful protesters in the capital, Colombo.
Mahinda Rajapaksa was just one member of a political dynasty that includes his brother. Gotabaya Rajapaksa remains in power as president, but many are demanding he step down as well, including some Sri Lankans living in Winnipeg.
Shenaly Kuluppuarachchi is studying global political economics at the University of Manitoba. She misses her parents, whom she hasn't seen since before the pandemic, but the situation back home doesn't make for safe travel.
"We cannot focus on our day-to-day tasks," said Kuluppuarachchi. "The first thing I do is call my mom and find out if they're OK, when I wake up in the morning."
Her parents live in Colombo, a city now in crisis. Protesters were attacked this week by government supporters, with 23 sent to hospital.
The protesters had camped outside the president's and prime minister's offices for a month, calling on them to resign.
Mahinda Rajapaksa's resignation Monday triggered violence and fires at politicians' homes.
WATCH | Sri Lankan PM resigns on Monday following protests:
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa declared a state of emergency last Friday, allowing him to authorize detentions, property seizure and the search of any premises.
He can also change or suspend any law in the interests of public security and for the maintenance of essential supplies.
In Winnipeg, Kuluppuarachchi has been glued to the powerful online images of tanks and troops patrolling the streets of Colombo.
"I also saw the police and forces randomly shooting to disperse crowds, which I don't think is right," said the 25-year-old. "It's a basic violation of human rights."
Kuluppuarachchi has helped organize recent protests here in Manitoba, including one at the legislature in April. She said she's proud to support Sri Lankans standing up in Colombo, including her parents.
They run a grocery store and are dealing first-hand with the shortages that sent Sri Lanka into crisis. The island nation imports much of its supplies, but its economy has practically collapsed.
For several months, Sri Lankans have endured long lines to buy fuel, cooking gas, food and medicine, most of which come from abroad.
Inflation surged to 18.7 per cent in March, driven in part by a lack of hard currency, and it continued to rise in April, with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka reporting the consumer price index went up to 29.8 per cent in April, with food inflation at 46.6 per cent that month.
The protesters who have crowded the streets in Sri Lanka since March say the former prime minister and his family — who have dominated nearly every aspect of life in Sri Lanka for most of the last 20 years — are to blame for the economic crisis.
"The cost of living is skyrocketing," said Kuluppuarachchi. "And then there was a huge drop in the sales, which has affected my parents."
She said many of her parent's customers are in need of dry milk powder, a staple in a country with a hot climate and little refrigeration.
"People cannot afford to buy the basic necessities, and then there are no basic necessities available."
Medical supplies are also in short supply. The Sri Lankan Association of Manitoba is raising money for equipment and medication.
"If we could save at least a few lives at this difficult time, I think that's the best we could do," said Vajira Pathirana, the association's president.
With an estimated 800 Sri Lankan families now living in Winnipeg, Pathirana says his association is considering a meeting for people in the community grappling with the unrest back home.
"This affects pretty much everyone, no matter what race, what religion, what language we speak," he said. "Everyone is in this together."
The Sri Lankan Association of Manitoba continues to collect funds to help Sri Lankans struggling to get by.
Pathirana said the group has raised about $8,000 to help Sri Lankans deal with COVID-19, and more than $1,000 to help during the current crisis, but they haven't yet reached out to the greater Winnipeg community.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
