Colombo Faces Nighttime Lockdown After Rowdy Protest
What Happened and Why It Matters
On the early hours of Friday, the bustling streets of Colombo went quiet under a night‑time curfew imposed by police. The move came after a Friday‑night stampede of unrest that broke the calm around President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s home.
The Riotous Scene
- Hundreds of demonstrators swarmed the suburb, rallying near the former president’s private residence.
- They wore motorcycle helmets, tore down a wall, and flung bricks at the police.
- Some even set a bus ablaze along the road that leads to the president’s house.
Police Response
- Senior Superintendent Amal Edirimanne confirmed that four police divisions of Colombo were put under a curfew.
- Law enforcement used tear gas and water cannons to try to disperse the crowd.
- Witnesses say the rebels broke through fences, causing chaos until the night was cleared.
Why It’s Big
These protests are part of a larger wave of discontent sparked by the country’s worst economic crisis in decades. The government’s attempt to restore order highlights how volatile the situation has become. Citizens are still uncertain whether the curfew, aimed at bringing calm, will quell the simmering frustration or ignite even more fireworks. Only time will tell.
<img alt="" data-caption="Demonstrators moving away from tear gas used by the police near Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's residence during a protest against him in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on March 31, 2022.
PHOTO: Reuters” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”0908d2c6-66c0-4432-ba03-0d5525ba7eab” src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/20220331_protestors_reuters.jpg”/>
Why Sri Lanka’s Lights Are Going Dark 13 Hours a Day
Picture an island of 22 million people—most of them living under the glow of neon streetlamps that go out for up to 13 hours every day. The culprit? A steep shortage of foreign currency that makes it impossible to import enough fuel to keep the power grid humming.
The Flow of Trouble
- Power Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi says the government is deliberately turning off street lights to cut down on electricity consumption.
- Shortages of diesel keep rolling blackouts coming, which in turn shut down trading on Sri Lanka’s main stock market.
- Retail inflation slid to a staggering 18.7 % in March, while food prices shot up to 30.2 %—a nasty combo of a weakening currency and a ban on chemical fertilizers that was later lifted.
On the Horizon: A Glimmer of Hope?
The International Monetary Fund is slated to start talks with Sri Lankan officials about a possible loan programme in the next few days. It’s a lifeline that could help the country get past the crisis.
Meanwhile, a US$500 million (S$678 million) credit line from India has been arranged to bring in a diesel shipment this Saturday. But even once those barrels hit the docks, the fix is far from complete.
“We’re Going to Keep It On the Edge of Darkness”
“Once that arrives we will be able to reduce load‑shedding hours, but until we receive rains, probably in May, power cuts will have to continue,” Wanniarachchi explained. “There’s nothing else we can do.”
So, in short: the island’s lights are dimming as the power crisis drags on, while the government and international partners are scrambling to pull the plug—metaphorically—on the gloom and restore a bit of brightness. Stay tuned for more updates as the country edges toward a possible resolution.
<img alt="" data-caption="Members of the Sri Lankan army stand guard near President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's residence during a protest against him in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on March 31, 2022.
PHOTO: Reuters” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”4bf02eef-5612-4361-9ab7-5bf133948f19″ src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/20220331_army_reuters.jpg”/>
Water‑Short, Power‑Drop, Market‑Drop: Sri Lanka’s Economic Roller‑Coaster
Picture this: the country’s reservoirs, the veins that feed hydroelectric plants, are now at historic low levels. Add a sizzling, drought‑swept weather that’s pushing power demand to a record high, and you’ve got the perfect storm that’s ruffling markets.
Colombo Stock Exchange Goes on Short‑Circuit Mode
- Usually, the CSE runs for 4½ hours, but this week it was trimmed down to just 2 hours – a decision? Brokers – they’re weary of the looming power cuts.
- Despite the early opening, the market dipped when the Spice‑Index lost over 5% – so the exchange halted trading for 30 minutes. This was the third halt in two days, and nowhere near the friendly surprise we all crave.
Why the “Crisis” Scene?
The boiling “economic crisis” is a cocktail of:
- Mis‑timed tax cuts that left the coffers cold.
- The pandemic pulse that knocked the economy off balance.
- Weak government finances that have sunk foreign reserves by a staggering 70% over the last two years.
Heat‑Treated Reality
Seriously, folks: mixing record water lows with a hot dry season feels like nature’s way of saying, “Hang on, we’re all in a bind.” And that’s before you even think about the trading frictions, the frantic brokers, or the brush‑painted technobabble the media might sprinkle on. The truth is straightforward: Sri Lanka’s finances are tremble‑tight, reserves are shrinking, and the people are feeling the pinch.
And That’s It.
So, as the banks pedal slow, the power grid stalls, and the stock exchanges are doing a half‑stop dance, the message is crystal clear: we’re in a financial soup that’s got a lot more than just a drip in it. Stay tuned, stay hopeful (softly), and maybe keep your candles ready.
