Constitutional crisis: Chaos on key issues
The political crisis that has engulfed the country for over a month continues to have a negative effect on the day-today lives of ordinary Sri Lankans. Both political factions have doubled down on their stances, with daily protests and meetings held islandwide, sometimes causing traffic chaos.
The continued turmoil has had a devastating effect on the state sector too.
A case in point is the fiasco surrounding the distribution of school uniforms.
With days to go before the end of the school term, the newly appointed government decided to discard the voucher system and go back to the distribution of school uniform material.
The hasty decision left no time for authorities to purchase and distribute the material before schools went on vacation on Friday. Consequently, children around the country went home empty handed.
Continuous ‘Satyagrahas’ have been launched by both camps, vehicle processions and signing of mass petitions are also taking place.
The economy continues to take blow after blow. The rupee has depreciated to a record low against the US dollar. Currency exchanges are seeing few customers.
Businesses too are suffering due to the uncertainty, with those linked to the tourism sector being particularly hard hit.
Story and pix by Priyantha Wickramarachchi .