- Lankans from around the world on calling for change on 9 July
In these past few months, Sri Lankans have been living history, seeing it being written with their active and vociferous participation.
After months of dissent, protests, long-winding fuel queues, and crippling inflation rates, on 9 July the Lankan people, having had enough, gathered to overthrow President Gotabaya Rajapaksa – culminating in the President fleeing the country in the early hours of 13 July, hours before he was due to resign.
Considering the historic nature of the incidents that have been unfolding, especially the protests of 9 July – courtesy of the ‘Ratama Colombata’ (the whole country to Colombo) movement, it is evident that the people of Sri Lanka understood the importance of being on the right side of history.
Regardless of personal political beliefs, a majority of Lankans were able to come together in unity to show everyone watching that we are one as a people and unwavering in our calls for change.
On 9 July, this movement transcended geographical boundaries, as Lankans living away from home in far corners of the world stepped out of their homes in solidarity, showing that the movement was not limited to those living in Sri Lanka. Expats have been expressing their support in droves since 9 May, when what is now known as the ‘Aragalaya’ first began.
All manner of Sri Lankans abroad – on studies, on work, immigrants who have been settled in foreign countries for generations – took it upon themselves to express their disappointment at the state of our nation and the suffering currently being endured by the Sri Lankan people.
As we step into our next chapter, we reached out to a number of expats living abroad to share their experiences protesting on Sri Lanka’s behalf in their neck of the woods.
Coordinated protests all around America
Warren Manuel, currently living in Houston, Texas, who has been an active and outspoken voice in the US about the current crisis in Sri Lanka, shared that there were coordinated protests all around America directly linked to the ‘Ratama Colombata’ movement.
“The protests in Houston were organised in collaboration with the Sri Lankan students’ collective in the US. This was, I believe, the third protest we organised,” Manuel said, adding that the protests in town had originally been planned to be a small community event which grew as the day went on. “My wife and I and a couple of our friends held posters in front of her university and from there it evolved into around 100-120 people.”
This was only the starting point to protests in Houston, with Manuel adding that they were glad to keep the momentum of protests going with their 9 July protests as well. “The recent one we did had around 30-40 people since it was more of a motor rally protest because of the extreme summer heat. We drove around 20 miles from Pearland to Galleria.”
Expectant and emotional
Commenting on the general feelings expressed by the participants, he shared that people were expectant and emotional, since they were still Sri Lankans despite living abroad, and many were still looking forward to returning home someday.
“The first and second protests we held were moderately aggressive, with lots of centrists to pander to, especially the well-off. The youth were more generous with their insults,” he noted, adding however that on 9 July things were far more jovial as the protest kicked off just as they received news of the President announcing his plans to resign. “The motor rally came right after we got the news of the alleged resignation and there was kiribath as well.”
Manuel also shared that the protests were widely shared online, with similar coordinated protests in Chicago and California as well.
It is also important to note that in the many social media clips shared online of these protests happening abroad, many of the participants in their smaller community-based organisations were cautious to protest responsibly so as to not tarnish the movement back in Sri Lanka.
The protests were peaceful in nature with the objective of drawing the attention of international media toward the ground realities in Sri Lanka – to give the world a real understanding of why Sri Lankans were protesting, as opposed to whatever opinion people may gather from incorrect news articles coloured by personal perceptions.
One intention – end regime of corruption
Gayantha Wickramarathne from Melbourne, Australia shared with Brunch his experience participating in the protests held where he lived. Wickramarathne had attended the large protest which was organised and held in front of the State Library Victoria, and noted that the gathering was emotionally charged.
“Overall, it was an interesting experience. Everyone who gathered in front of the State Library Victoria had one intention – to end the regime of corruption. It was remarkable that the protest sustained the same intensity as the previous protests that took place in Melbourne. The organisers and the protesters voiced the same sentiment expressed at ‘GotaGoGama’. It was refreshing to see fellow Sri Lankans gather despite their differences and reclaim their power,” he said.
He noted that the participants were diverse, representing all age groups and students, with people with PR and citizenship also attending, and added that there were many who were referred to as cultural representatives as well.
Wickramarathne added that it was particularly significant that the protests were held in all three languages and the participants were handed a sheet with the chants printed in all three languages so that everyone could participate equally and comfortably, which he thought was incredibly poignant and much appreciated.
Queer community a part of the fight
Vishal Ravindran, a trans woman, also shared her experience at the Melbourne protests. “I badly want to let people know that Sri Lanka’s queer community was a part of the fight, so that when people look back they will know that we contributed so much!”
Having attended the protests, she shared that there were about 250-300 people in attendance. She noted that the coming together of such a large and diverse group of people was remarkable: “It was brilliant! No aggression whatsoever. It was executed perfectly.”
Ravindran also shared that the Melbourne protests began with an acknowledgement of the Indigenous people of Australia, which she felt was a beautiful touch.
“We showed respect to the original custodians of the land before we did anything at all. The protests happened on the stairs of the State Library Victoria, guarded by Police. Everyone kept safe at the venue, nobody was bothered by our protest, and everything went smoothly. The entire session happened in one space; there were various signs held up by people protesting, there was chanting in all three languages, and there were special guests welcomed to speak to the audience about how they felt and motivated the crowd to keep fighting for a better Sri Lanka,” Ravindran shared.
Connection with movement back home
From an Australian perspective, Ravindran shared that the organisers did their best to keep the connection with the movement back home. “The chants were just rhymes that we’ve heard commonly throughout the entirety of the Aragalaya like ‘Gota go home,’ etc.,” she explained, adding that there were also key community figures in attendance, which legitimised the movement further with such a wide group of people coming together.
“The guest speakers were lawyers, a few Australian Government affiliates, community representatives, and activists. Once everything wrapped up, the crowd sang the National Anthem and thanks and gratitude were offered up to the Police stationed at the event who allowed things to go so smoothly.”
United step in a difficult journey
Sri Lankans have fought long and hard for change and protesters are now seeing the fruits of their efforts as the Sri Lankan President exits his station. However, as all Lankans are well aware, this is only the very first step in a difficult journey, but for what feels like the first time in history, it is a step that all Sri Lankans are taking together.
Now, more than ever, it is important for us to remember that this is a time for all Sri Lankans, both within our shores and abroad, to build a new future that addresses and remedies the difficulties of the past.
Regardless of what the future brings, let us not forget how we came together for a common cause and overcame our differences to become one. If we are able to bear in mind that we are stronger together, then perhaps things may change for the better.
