Sri Lanka: Mass protests to force Gotabaya to quit

Representatives of 50 trade unions who marched to Galle Face promenade here made the announcement on Saturday, the media reported on Sunday.

Joseph Stalin, General Secretary of the Ceylon Teachers Union, one of the main unions representing teachers in state schools, said the unions would start a countrywide protest campaign from April 20 demanding that all the Rajapaksas resign.

“If you don't leave, we will have to kick you out. As workers, we have come together. By next week, we will carry out a series of protests and union action to force the government to step down. Working people are asking the Rajapaksas to go home,” Stalin was quoted as saying.

Dharmasiri Lankapeli, Convenor of the Federation of Media Employees Trade Unions, said the President was trying to save his skin by reshuffling the Cabinet.

He alleged that the President had left his home in Nugegoda and was living in the Panagoda Army Camp.

“Some of the other Rajapaksas are leaving the country. One of them left the country on Saturday morning. The end of the regime is near,” Lankapeli said.

Udeni Dissanayake, Chairman of the All Ceylon Management Service Officers Association, said the unions would hold a national protest on Wednesday. This would be followed by continuous protests, strikes and other union action.

“It's the first big national protest. We must unite and ensure that the President can't wait it out. There must be protests across the country and ensure that continuous pressure is applied to all government MPs,” he said.

(With UNI inputs)