Sri Lanka protests force Rajapaksa political comeback plans

The Rajapaksa family, once dominant in Sri Lankan politics, faced a significant backlash from the public, leading to their ousting from power. However, two years later, Namal Rajapaksa, son of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, is campaigning for the presidential election scheduled for September 21. His campaign seeks to leverage his father's legacy, despite widespread discontent among the populace regarding the family's past governance and economic mismanagement, which the Supreme Court attributed to them between 2019 and 2022. Ranil Wickremesinghe, appointed president after the Rajapaksas' fall, has been accused of shielding the family from accountability for their actions, which has further fueled public anger amid ongoing economic hardships. Many Sri Lankans, grappling with a cost-of-living crisis, express their disillusionment with the Rajapaksa family, vowing not to support them again. Despite this, Namal aims to reconnect with the party's base, which still holds some admiration for Mahinda Rajapaksa. Namal's campaign strategy includes showcasing his father's image and achievements, hoping to sway voters who may still feel nostalgic about the Rajapaksa era. However, public sentiment remains largely negative, with many citizens expressing their refusal to vote for any member of the Rajapaksa family. The political landscape in Sri Lanka is tense, as the country navigates the aftermath of the protests and the ongoing economic crisis. As the election approaches, the Rajapaksas' potential return to power raises questions about the future of governance in Sri Lanka and the possibility of continued unrest among the populace, who are still reeling from the consequences of the previous administration's policies.