President Rajapaksa may be gone, but Sri Lanka is still struggling with a ruinous financial crisis, and experts said things are likely to get worse before they get better
For years it had been one of Sri Lanka's grandest and most heavily guarded buildings, serving as the official residence and state office of the President.
But all that changed on July 9, when protesters stormed in and took control, demanding the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa before turning the palace upside down."That was the home of the most powerful man in the country," said Sri Lankan author and analyst Asanga Abeyagoonasekera."It had never been opened to the public." It's now become a novelty attraction -- all traces of its exclusivity and prestige gone.
'They got rich, while the poor became poorer': Hear why ordinary Sri Lankans want to oust the ruling family 02:54"There is zero political stability," said Abeyagoonasekera."We've seen three cabinets in two months, with a fourth coming up. Urgent change is needed to restore the country." Despite a raft of government-implemented crisis control measures, the situation remains desperate for millions across the country.
Video shows protestors flee amidst tear gas from Sri Lankan police 03:29The World Economic Forum once called Sri Lanka South Asia's richest economy."The island reaps the benefits of early investments in higher education and training ... and needs to concentrate on areas that are most important to trigger the efficiencies that will drive further growth," WEF said in a 2016 report.
Economist: Sri Lanka 'could be looking at a famine in a few months' time' 09:35She also said she wouldn't rule out the Rajapaksas returning to power."They might have abandoned ship while it was sinking but they are savvy and have been in the political game for decades," she said. "But there is a window now and it is time for change. The government needs to call elections sooner rather than later.
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