Sri Lankans encountered a historic moment on July 13, 2022, when demonstrators took over the presidential palace, prompting then-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa to flee the nation.
Vibrant scenes unfolded as crowds danced and celebrated inside the luxurious halls of the palace, breaking through barriers despite a national curfew and fierce resistance from law enforcement.
This surge of public dissent was a culmination of extensive protests, aptly named the “aragalaya” or struggle, that lasted for months as citizens voiced their demand for Rajapaksa’s resignation amidst an escalating economic crisis.
For weeks, the former leader clung to power, even as his brother, Mahinda Rajapaksa, stepped down as prime minister in an attempt to alleviate public anger.
The protests can be attributed to long-standing grievances against the Rajapaksa family’s tight grip on Sri Lankan politics, which had persisted for years. Mahinda Rajapaksa, once revered as a savior for ending a brutal civil war, saw his family’s power decline dramatically after their policies led to unprecedented economic distress.
In the wake of this turmoil, Namal Rajapaksa, Mahinda’s son, has expressed his intention to run in the upcoming presidential election on September 21, 2023, seeking to reclaim his family’s political influence.
Opinions on Namal’s potential candidacy are mixed, with some voters suggesting that the Rajapaksa family should not be allowed to regain power. Critics argue that the family’s previous mismanagement continues to plague Sri Lankans, with rising poverty levels and a cost-of-living crisis affecting millions.
Namal Rajapaksa’s campaign emphasizes his father’s legacy, attempting to capitalize on Mahinda’s previous popularity among certain demographics despite ongoing allegations of corruption and human rights violations during their rule.
While the political landscape is now dominated by figures like opposition leader Sajith Premadasa and the leftist alliance’s Anura Kumara Dissanayake, analysts speculate that Namal Rajapaksa may be positioning himself for a future political comeback as he navigates public sentiment in the present election cycle.
As discussions about the candidates evolve, Sri Lankan voters are at a crossroads, determining whether to embrace the Rajapaksa legacy or pursue a new political path to steer the nation towards recovery from its economic woes.
