A struggle divided

Sri Lanka’s worst economic crisis has given way to a mass anti-government movement. The movement often referred to as Aragalaya - the Sinhala word for “struggle” - started off vehemently demanding the resignation of Gotabaya Rajapaksa for his role in destroying the island’s economy. After protesters stormed his residence, Rajapaksa fled to Singapore where he formally announced his resignation. Upon receiving the news, protesters gathered outside the presidential secretariat to celebrate the ousting of a president they once held as a saviour. The Aragalaya has overwhelmingly been characterized...