Sri Lanka’s current economic, political and social turmoil is viewed by the international community with mixed feelings. However, Sri Lankans overseas feel that it’s high time that they stand in solidarity with fellow Sri Lankans to voice against corruption and injustice. As such, on May 1, Sri Lankans living across 50 states in the US will take to the streets at 2.00 pm (EST), voicing for change in solidarity with fellow Sri Lankans. 

The fact that the current situation in Sri Lanka is the result of years of financial mismanagement, fraud, and money laundering by the government, particularly by a political family with strong ties to the US, prompted the Sri Lankan student collective in the US to initiate a statewide protest to support fellow protesters in Sri Lanka. The objectives of the protest are to support Sri Lankans fighting for the country on everyone’s behalf, to gain the attention of necessary international authorities, and to advocate for a politically unbiased system change.   

Together with the protest, the Sri Lankan protesters in the US intend to seek the assistance of the Senators, Congress Members, State Governors, and Geneva, and request, in writing, an investigation into the sources and financial ties of Sri Lankan political figures and their family members with the US, as well as crimes related to human rights violations.   

The letter is currently in the making, and it will be a legal document stating the concerns of Sri Lankans and requesting legal actions from the US government. This letter is intended to be hand-delivered to the Senators, Congressmen, and State Secretaries in each state on Monday, May 2, 2022 preferably by a long residing Sri Lankan with the US citizenship (if not, it can also be anyone who can be a responsible representative from the state).   

The states include; Arizona, Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland/DMV area, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.   

The protest will be broadcast live via Zoom at 2.25 PM (EST) at GotaGoGama. This programme is suggested to support and strengthen the momentum of Sri Lankans protesting at Galle Face Green for over two weeks now. All the state representatives organising the protest will join the Zoom link at 2.25 PM (EST).