The 2022 events unfolded against a backdrop of economic collapse blamed on mismanagement and corruption under the Rajapaksa administration. Protests began peacefully but faced repeated suppression, including the use of troops to disperse crowds.

A group of prominent activists held a press conference to renew calls for accountability over the violent crackdown on peaceful protesters during Sri Lanka’s 2022 economic crisis demonstrations in Colombo last week. The protests, sparked by severe shortages of fuel, food, medicine, and other essentials, ultimately led to the resignation and flight of then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Activists argue that state aggression turned largely non-violent demonstrations into scenes of chaos, with no meaningful justice delivered to those affected.

The 2022 Aragalaya movement, centred at Colombo’s Galle Face Green, drew thousands demanding systemic change amid the island nation’s deepest economic downturn in decades. Protesters occupied public spaces, setting up makeshift communities with libraries and clinics. However, confrontations escalated when security forces and unidentified groups intervened forcefully, particularly on 9 May 2022, clearing the Galle Face site amid reports of assaults on unarmed participants.

Father Jeewantha Peiris, who participated in the 2022 protests, addressed the gathering, asserting that the true violence stemmed from actions by a “junta” involving former leaders. He stated, “The real violence was orchestrated by the junta comprising former president Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Rajapaksa regime. No punishment for them.” Peiris demanded enforcement of the law against those responsible for attacks on peaceful demonstrators, rather than targeting protesters themselves.

Rights activist Nuwan Bopage from the People’s Struggle Alliance described how state aggression provoked incidents nationwide. He alleged that in one case, former lawmaker Amarakeerthi Athukorala fired at citizens blocking his vehicle on 11 February 2022, resulting in one death and several injuries before Athukorala and his security officer were killed amid the unrest. Bopage emphasized evidence from photos and videos showing government-sponsored thugs assaulting unarmed people, questioning why no justice has followed.

Calls for Release of Death-Sentenced Protesters

A key focus of the press conference was the fate of 12 anti-government protesters sentenced to death for the murders of Athukorala and his security officer. Manoj Nanayakkara, representing Lawyers for Truth and Justice, noted an opportunity for appeal and pledged free legal services to the defendants. He urged the current government to intervene positively, saying, “These citizens struggled to change the existing system, and the government should make a positive intervention in the cases of the struggle.”

Wasantha Mudalige, a rights defender, highlighted the broader toll, pointing out that eight people died during the protests. He questioned the lack of progress in those cases, noting no intervention from the Attorney General. “Eight people died in this struggle. What will happen to those cases now?”

Personal testimonies underscored the human cost. P S Anuranga recounted suffering around twenty head wounds from attacks by government forces at Galle Face, illustrating the brutality faced by ordinary participants.

Broader Context of Impunity and Ongoing Demands

The 2022 events unfolded against a backdrop of economic collapse blamed on mismanagement and corruption under the Rajapaksa administration. Protests began peacefully but faced repeated suppression, including the use of troops to disperse crowds under Wickremesinghe, who assumed the presidency after Rajapaksa’s exit. Activists accuse authorities of shielding powerful figures while prosecuting demonstrators harshly.

Four years later, speakers at the press conference expressed frustration over persistent impunity. They reiterated demands for:

• Full justice for victims of the crackdown, including investigations into deaths and injuries.
• Release or fair appeals for the 12 death-sentenced protesters.
• Accountability for state actors involved in violence against unarmed citizens.

The event reflects continued activism in Sri Lanka, where economic recovery has not erased memories of the struggle or resolved grievances over state responses. Participants called on the government to address these long-standing issues to foster reconciliation and prevent future escalations.