No Time for Coup-eration: The 2022 Sri Lankan Protests

Content Warning: This committee will deal with controversial and sensitive issues relating to violence carried out by state and non-state actors, such as police brutality and civil war.  Delegates in this committee are expected to debate any topics in a respectful and diplomatic manner.

Across the streets of Sri Lanka, protestors have been chanting “Go Home Gota!” in attempts to call for the resignation of Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa amidst controversy surrounding inflation, blackouts, and rising costs of living. As protest leaders are working to stage a coup and remove President Gota and his cabinet members, the government has been instituting extreme measures to prevent the advancement of protestors. Social media bans, curfews, and military intervention have all been instituted in attempts to quell rising civilian outrage and discontent. Tear gas has been fired on protesters, parliament is under siege, and the government has officially declared a state of emergency amidst some of the most significant protests in South Asian history. Through this, it is vital that the movement and momentum of the protests is not shut down, and increasing pressure must be placed on officials to cater to civilian’s demands. A new government and a new Sri Lanka must be formed, and it is in the hands of the movement leaders to ensure bad blood is out- for good.