I understand the frustration, we are doing our utmost to fix it all the solutions are long term. Renewable energy is one solution & we are in the process of changing laws & regulations to accommodate it.
— Namal Rajapaksa (@RajapaksaNamal) March 30, 2022
Responding to increasing complaints about power cuts across Sri Lanka and dismal internet speeds, the minister for sports, and son of Prime Minister Rajapaksa, Namal Rajapaksa claimed on Twitter “I understand the frustration”.
His statement follows international backlash following his trip to the Maldives where he was filmed enjoying water sports and riding a jet ski whilst Sri Lanka continued to grapple with the worst economic crisis since the end of the war.
Here's the full video of Namal Rajapaksa enjoying water sports in Maldives when the people in his county barely have money for food and fuel.
— Munza Mushtaq (@munza14) March 17, 2022
???? ???? ????? ??????? ????? ???? ????????? ???? water sports ?????.
?? ?? ????? ???? 69 ????? ????? ????? ????? ??.#LKA #SriLanka pic.twitter.com/SdhHTUjiVh
The country has suffered from not only massive inflation, with retail inflation reaching 17.5% in February, but also shortages in basic goods such as fuel, medicines, and even cooking oil. As a result, food inflation has risen by over 25%.
Not all have been affected equally with the Public Utilities Commission releasing a list of 191 areas where there would be no power cuts whilst the rest of Sri Lanka will face an imposed 13-hour power cut today. Included on this list were the President's house, Parliament and several houses where members of parliament live.
The inequity in this power cut was further displayed as a massive music festival with international acts, pyrotechnics and thousands of people was held in Colombo on Saturday.
Sri Lanka has faced increasing protests with opposition to the Rajapaksa clan increasing. The Rajapaksa family is notorious for appointing family members to senior cabinet positions.