The Aragalaya Protests

How mass protests called the Aragalaya ("struggle") in 2022 over fuel, food and power shortages forced President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to flee, showing the political impact of economic collapse.

In 2022, Sri Lankans took to the streets in the Aragalaya (“struggle”).

Daily hardship

Fuel queues stretched for kilometres, sometimes lasting days.
Power cuts of up to 13 hours a day.
Food and medicine shortages.
Inflation above 60 percent.

Protests

Protesters camped at Galle Face Green in Colombo from April 2022, demanding the government’s resignation.
The movement cut across ethnic and religious lines.

Regime change

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned in May 2022.
In July 2022, protesters stormed the president’s residence; Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled and resigned.
Ranil Wickremesinghe became president.

Later

In 2024, voters elected Anura Kumara Dissanayake of the NPP, an outsider coalition, reflecting desire for change.

Lesson

Economic mismanagement can bring down even powerful political dynasties.

The fuel queue

A tuk-tuk driver waits two days in a fuel queue, losing income while unable to work, joining the protests in frustration.

Thinking economic crises stay economic

Sri Lanka's crisis toppled its government.

Key takeaways

The Aragalaya protests began in 2022 over shortages.
Fuel queues, power cuts and 60 percent inflation hit daily life.
Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled and resigned in July 2022.
Voters chose an outsider in 2024.