Chaos in Colombo: Sri Lankans Flood Buses to Home—All While the Nation’s Economy Crumbles
What Happened?
On May 12th, thousands of Sri Lankans packed the main bus station in Colombo to rush back to their villages. Why? Because Prime Minister Gotabaya Rajapaksa secretly walked out, leaving the top leaders bewildered, while the President warned of anarchy, and the power grid was flickering like a bad lightbulb.
Break‑down of the May 12th Snafu
- The curfew was lifted at 7 am (SGT 9:30), only to be re‑imposed at 2 pm.
- Police and army were called in after Monday’s violent clashes, which killed 9 people and injured over 300.
- People wonder why the streets are eerily quiet despite the forming crowds.
- Supply chains at a standstill: fuel shortages, empty medicine shelves, and an economy that’s done a complete 180.
Front‑Row Commentary
In the middle of the chaos, a local autorickshaw driver named Nimal Jayantha shared his woes:
“We have literally hit the bottom here,” he sighed.
“I’m stuck in line for a few minutes of petrol. By the time I get it, the curfew snaps back on. I end up going home empty‑handed.”
The Faction Wars
How the big family drama, the Rajapaksa clan, turned into a village‑sized showdown:
- Mahinda Rajapaksa’s home in a southern town was spray‑painted with scathing messages.
- A museum dedicated to his father was ransacked.
- The protests are running strong until the president quits.
Political Reset?
Out of the smoke and the chaos:
- Mahinda Rajapaksa has stepped down—currently hidden in a military base in the northeast.
- He’s promising a new prime minister and cabinet this week to keep the country from falling into anarchy.
- The central bank governor warned that if no fix comes in the next week or two, power cuts could hit 10‑12 hours each day, and the governor himself might resign.
Unification or a Split?
The President Rajapaksa repeatedly calls for a unity government to claw back the crisis. But opposition leaders are flat‑out rejecting the idea unless the president steps down.
Why All of This?
The disaster is a cocktail of bad luck:
- Pandemic woes still reeling.
- Soaring oil prices—forgotten citizenship of fuel.
- Populist tax cuts by the Rajapaksas accelerated the grind.
- Foreign reserves plucked to a measly $50 million (S$70 million).
- Inflation is tearing through everyday goods.
- Over a month of peaceful dissent turned violent since Monday.
The Takeaway
In the heart of East Africa’s shining spot, Sri Lanka is wrestling with a political collapse and an economic meltdown. In the meantime, crowds of citizens are trading buses for homeward rides, hoping to escape a nation that’s at a crossroads.
