GotaGoGama protestors insist their demands remain intact

Friday, 3 June 2022 00:25 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The groups involved in the peaceful protest opposite the President Secretariat in Galle Face yesterday reiterated that there is ‘no solution’ to the current crisis until the President Gotabaya Rajapaksa steps down.

The varying groups include Black Cap Movement, Youth for Change, the Inter University Students Federation among others, insisted that their demands remain the same in a joint press conference held yesterday. Attorney-at-Law Manoj Nanayakkara said that what took place at the Presidential Secretariat was staged, and the people struggle only has two main campaign slogans; firstly, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa must resign and secondly the regime which accompanied former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa should resign.

He said that the groups engaged in the struggle have ‘not submitted’ any proposals, except for the call for the President Rajapaksa to resign.

“Anyone can submit proposals. However, no one has the right to do so, in the name of the people’s struggle,” Nanayakkara claimed.

Youth For Change National Organiser Lahiru Weerasekara said that the protestors would not submit proposals to the same person whom they want gone.

“We saw how Mahinda Rajapaksa who was left helpless called for a meeting with the protestors. No one attended that meeting. He had to resign. We send the same message to Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Ranil Wickremesinghe. Keep this in mind. We are not going to submit proposals to the person we want gone,” he stressed.

Black Cap Movement Buddhi Prabodha Karunaratne said that the 11-point proposal handed over on Wednesday does not speak of the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, whilst pointing out that the place is now called ‘GotaGoGama’.

Activist Nalin Ranaweera stressed that those proposed and accepted must be ashamed of themselves, as the group did not even communicate with those engaged in the people’s protest.

Inter University Students Federation Convenor Wasantha Mudalige, challenged the President to visit GotaGoGama, just as he conducted the Gama Samaga Pilisandarak Program.

Actor Jagath Manuwarna demanded for those who claimed to be representing the peoples struggle to be exposed.

Youtuber and Social Media Activist Rathindu Senaratne also questioned whether the President has no shame to meet with the protestors who want him gone.