LETTER | Stop violence in Sri Lanka, respect people's demands

LETTER | The Asia Democracy Network (ADN) and its partner civil society organisations in Asia are deeply concerned regarding the economic crisis experienced by the people of Sri Lanka.

We are deeply moved to see men and women struggling to find essential food including lifesaving medical items for their family members and children.

This day-to-day struggle to find sustenance has led the people to protests beginning in early April 2022 – a result of fiscal mismanagement and unchecked handling of the economy.

We are concerned to note the use of live ammunition to disperse unarmed citizens in Rambukkana on April 19, which resulted in one death and several critically injured including police personnel.

The excessive use of force on citizens who were demanding essential items is an inhumane act.

The people of Sri Lanka have continued to experience such impunity that has not been investigated so far.

The shooting at Rathupaswella is a case in point.

We call on the people of Sri Lanka and the authorities to ensure a peaceful and nonviolent resolution to the current crisis.

Violence will only exacerbate the situation and compromise the resolution of the core problem.

Restoring faith and confidence in democratic governance is the need of the hour.

The Parliament must immediately agree to collectively reach a consensus to respond effectively and meaningfully to the demands of the people clamouring for good governance and an end to the corrupt regime of the Rajapaksa family and their cronies.

Protesters and political leaders must come to a negotiation table to resolve the ongoing crisis and violence.

We call on the incumbent government and relevant officials to exhaust all means to find a resolution to the fiscal crisis in a sustainable manner.

The Rajapaksa government should hold itself accountable, work with the Parliament to enact crucial reforms, intensify actions to engage and dialogue with Sri Lankan citizens, and facilitate the restoration of checks and balances of governmental power.

Finally, we would like to convey our utmost solidarity to the people of Sri Lanka, in particular the youth, and the working people for coming together and demanding justice, good governance, rule of law and transparency and rejecting authoritarian executive power.

We believe that the demands placed before the country by the youth and the people of Sri Lanka are timely and follow the global trend to move towards greater democratic governance.

We pray that the people will win in their struggle without any further repression and bloodshed.

Long live the people, in solidarity in your struggle.

Endorsed by organisations:

Asia Democracy Network

Asian Network for Free and Fair Elections

DHEWA org

FEFA - Afghanistan

International Movement of Catholic of Catholic Students (IMCS) Pax Romana, Asia Pacific

Khmer National Liberation Front

Korea Women’s Associations United

Kurian Katticaren

Sukaar Welfare Organization

Association of Human Rights Defenders and Promoters (Myanmar)

Peace and Cultural Foundation

LRLDO

Centre For Policy Alternatives

Citizen Congress Watch

Endorsed by individuals:

Amjad Hussain

Chintha J Munasinghe

Usep Hasan Sadikin

Karminn CD Daytec Yañgot

Yati Andriyani

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.