The struggle erupted !

The long-running economic crisis in the country created a political struggle. The government authorities who went to respond violently to that political struggle wreaked havoc on the country. It is difficult to recall such an event in post-independence history. Although some have tried to equate this with the 1953 Hartal, the nature of the struggle this time is quite different.

The present government paved the way for the people's street struggle. President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa's decision to ban chemical fertilizers within 24 hours has dealt a severe blow to the livelihoods of the majority of farmers in the country. The farmers' struggle in the country was started by the farmers who were affected by the ban on chemical fertilizers.

The Presidential Secretariat does not accept the government's instructions not to implement the ban within 24 hours but to implement it step by step. A renowned Sri Lankan specialist doctor had once visited the Presidential Secretariat and stated that although he was a doctor, he could not cultivate paddy lands in his village without chemical fertilizers as he had several lands. The medical expert requested that this be resolved as it is a problem of the entire farming community in the country. Authorities at the Presidential Secretariat, which received the complaint, asked the doctor, "Did you come to represent the fertilizer companies?"

The farmers who were affected by such arrogant decisions despite the referendum got into a quarrel with the government. The Pohottuwa party's strong rural vote base began to crumble due to the arbitrary ban on chemical fertilizers.

Some subsequent decisions had a direct bearing on the decline of the national economy. It was suggested that sponsorship from the International Monetary Fund or other recognized financial aides should be sought immediately when the Fed's foreign reserves begin to dry up. But government officials continued to reject the proposals, saying they would manage the situation. It is true that the President and the government were deceived by these instructions.

However, the only excuse the government has to say in this regard is that the spread of Kovid disease has hampered tourism as well as export earnings. Foreign employment also lost income. There is some truth in that. Export earnings fell to $ 600 million to $ 700 million a month from $ 1100 million to $ 1200 million. In some months, tourist arrivals were limited to two or three thousand due to Kovid. Due to this situation, the prohibited income is huge for a country that receives more than 100,000 tourists a month in good times. Simultaneously, hundreds of billions of rupees were spent on health and welfare efforts to save the people from the Kovid disaster. But the government is not able to get rid of this as an excuse because other countries have also developed their economies to some extent with the post of Russ Kowid. India, which has faced a greater catastrophe than us, is the closest example we can give of this.

As the country's economy plunged into the abyss, allegations of corruption and fraud were leveled against powerful government figures. Many development projects, including the construction of highways, have become a source of income for some MPs and ministers. Even some of the most important ministerial portfolios were held by corrupt individuals. There is nothing to say about ministries like ports and highways. Sugar tax fraud, fertilizer fraud, garlic fraud, gas and fuel tenders, not only highway tenders but also exploitation by some at the port restaurant became public thefts. The cases against those responsible for these frauds were also dropped due to technical reasons.

All of this was embraced by the youth club with smartphones. At the same time the rest of the community was made aware. As the youth community inquired about the port, the economy sank further into the abyss. The fuel, electricity and gas crisis intensified, forcing people to take to the streets. Is it not fair for people to get angry when there is no gas, milk powder, fuel, essential medicines to burn or buy when there is a 10-12 hour power outage? On the other hand, fuel and gas prices rose by hundreds of thousands of rupees at once. Expenditure skyrocketed as people's incomes stagnated. Three-wheeler owners lost their journeys. He also lost the ability to work for a living.

All these factors created a youth struggle. Two years ago, not only artists, youth and social activists, scholars but also religious leaders who were committed to bringing the current President to power began to rally against the government. But neither the President nor the government understood the depth of this crisis. Politicians who foolishly advised the youth to come to Galle Face for about a month and violently suppress their just and just protests against the government have lost their place today.

The struggle started by the youth with good intentions later fell into the hands of various parties.