• It was unbelievable that the Rajapaksas were so “tone deaf” not to hear the voice of the people who are asking them to leave

By Tina Edward Gunawardhana 

 It has been nine days since the establishment of the GotaGoGama in Parliament Square in London and Sri Lankans of all ethnicities and faiths are flocking to the gama to extend their support. 

Sunday 8/5 saw a large number of the Sri Lankan Muslim community congregate at the GotaGoGama where they chanted slogans and stood for hours carrying placards and banners. Standing side by side with members of the Sinhala and Tamil communities, the demonstrators were united in their demands that the Rajapaksa and their cabal leave politics. Geshni Gunasekera, a solicitor and long-time activist who has been attending the protest on several days said it was unbelievable that the Rajapaksas were so “tone deaf” not to hear the voice of the people who are asking them to leave. 

 Zarina Abdul Azeez, International HR Activist and Founder of Sri Lankan Life Matters, a democratic Civil Rights Movement speaking to the Daily Mirror stated that as a lawyer she was appalled that the President had introduced a state of emergency as a method to quell the protests. “It is most undemocratic and a violation of their rights” she added. 

 Lakmal Walawage who had travelled with a group of friends said he was compelled to come to stand in solidarity with everyone back home and for the sake of all his friends and family. On the 14th of May, Sri Lankans are encouraged to visit the GotaGoGama in London dressed in black as they bring to a close the village which has united all ethnicities and faiths of Sri Lankans in their desire to see a change in the political landscape in Sri Lanka.

• Sri Lankans are encouraged to visit the GotaGoGama in London dressed in black as they bring to a close the village