Blog

Notes from the Field:  April 2022

• Protests continued 10 ,11 April despite heavy rain . Moment after performing “Get up, Stand up” to encourage the protesters at Galle Face, by one of well known artist .
• On 12 April, Celebrities joined the protests in Gotagogama to support the youth protesters to dethrone the government from power.
• Sinhalese and Tamil New Year , protesters gathered in large numbers

chanting “victory to the people struggle “ and welcomed the New Year and performed New Year customs and traditions.

• On 14 April , A police officer joined Galle Face protests in police uniform was taken into custody.
• On 15 April, Former Sri Lankan Cricketer went on hunger strike for 24 hours, urging the leaders of Sri Lanka to give justice to Easter Sunday Attack victims.

• GoHomegota2022 ,The campaign hashtag reached 3 million posts.
• New Branch of Gotagogama was started in Galle and police officers attempted to removed tents.
• On 16 April , Police trucks was placed on the outskirt of Galle Face.
• On 17 April, protesters sang the national anthem of Sri Lanka in both Sinhala and Tamil, to show unity among multicultural society.
• The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka visited and inspected the protests following reports that police officers were attempting to disperse the peaceful protesters with violence.
• On 19 April, the Federation of University Teachers engaged in a protest march.
• People who had been standing long queues to obtain fuel fir several hours began protesting at Rambukkana and police arrived and fired tear gas and live bullets. Several injured and one person died.
• Well known Artist started a symbolic walk by carrying a large wooden cross on his back for the Easter attack victims.
• On 24 April, thousands of Inter University Student’s Federation members surrounded the PM’s residence and demanded the current regime to resign.
• On 28 April, Over 1000 trade unions conducted a massive island-wide, one day token strike in support of the ongoing public protests against the government at Viharamahadevi Park, Colombo.
• Muslim civil society gathered to celebrate Ramadan at camping site.

Gotagogama is representative of all segment of Sri Lankan society and attracted interfaith support. Members of the Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, Christian clearly have been heavily involved in supporting the Aragalaya, The site came alive with celebrations during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, Easter and Ramadan. These public demonstrations of unity in a country.