- Urge patience and non-violence amidst turbulent times
“‘GotaGoGama’ – it’s like a beautiful garden of roses. Unfortunately, this flourishing garden was destroyed by a few that sprayed poison on it, destroying it in places,” actor Kalana Gunasekara articulated, recounting the day the makeshift village was violently destroyed by pro-Government protestors.
Several artists in the country came together on 11 May at the newly rebuilt “GotaGoGama”, also called GGG, to address the protestors present there. While everyone’s emotions are running high these days, the artists present took the initiative to soothe the citizens at “GotaGoGama”, and used the opportunity to speak of love, unity, and patience, all feelings we need to overcome the struggle we all have to face currently.
Gunasekara announced that despite the travesty that befell the protest site, they would rebuild it, vowing: “The garden will grow and flourish, bigger and better than ever!”
Begging President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to step down, he also proclaimed: “You have shown us your true colours again and again and again. We ask you to resign. We have been here from day one, we will be here till the end. Gota, go home.”
Addressing the crowd, Pieter D’Almeida observed that there are two sides to this protest, saying: “One is opposition, which is going well, and also, through ‘GotaGoGama’, we got to see a small snippet of the future we have dreamed of.”
While these protests have a goal, like asking for the President’s resignation, chasing away corrupt politicians, and ending this “reign of terror”, D’Almeida also stated that we must question what kind of future we want.
“That is what the people are doing at GGG; they are showing the people in power what future they want through the village,” he stated. Further, gesturing towards the crowds listening in on the press conference, he commented that as artists, they now have a platform, stating: “We call ourselves the artists of the people’s movement. We must use this platform we’ve built to steer the people in the right direction and begin thinking of a better future.”
Actor Jehan Appuhami began his speech by describing how peaceful the protests at Galle Face were, before the uncalled-for violence by people supporting our governing body.
“This family that we are trying to chase away stuck their fingers into the peaceful people’s protest in an ugly way, and we are sure, no matter what world they’re in, they will receive their karmic dues,” Appuhami stated, charging that the Rajapaksa dynasty would have to find another universe to escape from the people’s curses.
Appuhami had previously carried a wooden cross all the way from Katuwapitiya to “GotaGoGama” in order to demand justice for those affected by the Easter attacks. Since his arrival in “GotaGoGama” with the said cross, he has remained there ever since, asking for not just justice for the Easter attacks, but justice for all those suffering, starving, and left destitute due to the Government’s lapse in judgement and failure to prevent an economic collapse.
Using the recent gross misuse of power as an example, he urged the people present to refrain from violence, and asked them to continue with the peaceful protests that have been taking place for over a month now. Appuhami’s journey was deeply moving to many, especially those who lost family members in the attacks, and he used the platform he gained through it to instil the same resilience in the people.
“There is only a little more to go until we win. Wait patiently, don’t destroy the hard work we have done up until now; let’s hold on and win,” he told the people. He also advised the general public to immediately get the Police involved if they see any person engaging in acts of violence or destruction.
Actor Dananjaya Siriwardana also stated that as artists, they must promote cultural behaviour, as the protestors have been doing over the last month.
“Despite the violence that took place, we must practice love and refrain from stooping to their level,” he highlighted. In the day and age of the internet, and everything being available to anyone anywhere in the world within seconds, he advised the public to use social media wisely, urging people to verify information and refrain from sharing fake news.
“Social media is a double-edged sword and one must use it correctly and responsibly. If misused, we will create a divide between people and begin infighting, which is what the Government wants; we must not give in,” he emphasised.
“One word online is enough to change an entire generation, so we must be careful of what we put out there,” he further stated, adding that we should find the right words that will bring us together as a country and unite us in power.
While several other artists took the stage and addressed the masses, the sentiments echoed and shared the same message of resilience, patience, and love. Most urged the public to remain united despite whatever obstacles thrown their way and to come together as one to rid our motherland of decades of corruption and unnecessary violence.