Link to article: https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/sri-lankas-colombo-calm-after-clashes-that-killed-five-2022-05-10/
In the midst of Sri Lanka’s worst economic crisis in history, clashes have claimed the lives of eight people. The Sri Lankan Prime Minister, the President’s brother, resigned as a result of the deaths. The economic crisis is being exacerbated by a severe shortage of foreign exchange, preventing large amounts of essential imports from entering the country. Over the past few months, the country’s economy has mainly relied on India, the country is also talking with the International Monetary Fund and has tried to gain help from China as well. China and India have wrestled for influence over Sri Lanka for a long time now. The clashes occurred when supporters of the ruling party attacked an anti-government protest camp, sparking multiple clashes resulting in the deaths of 8 and the injury of over 200. Protests have only gotten stronger since then, while the President has pleaded with the country for peace. However, the majority of the island wants the President to resign, which would allow for Parliament to vote in a new leader, avoiding a power vacuum.
It interests me that the President is unwilling to resign when faced with his failures and their resulting consequences, especially considering the willingness of his brother to resign. There seems to be little in the way of this apart from selfish pride. It is peculiar that China has not been of much help considering that they value influence over the island and have been willing to lend to various countries across Africa and the world as a whole. It will also be interesting to see if India will continue to provide such substantial economic support if there is a change in leadership, though this may be unnecessary anyway if the new leadership is effective in resolving the island’s economic woes.
It seems that India has taken a liberal approach to this situation and has engaged the principle of reciprocity by providing more than $3.5 billion. This could be viewed as constructivist, but I suppose that India is concerned with garnering influence over the country and thus has given this much money with the expectation that the favor be returned in one way or another when necessary. In connection to comparative government, Sri Lanka’s president was chosen through an election, so it could be said that he rules through consensus, but given the current situation, it appears that that has shifted (given the economic turmoil and other external stimuli) to coercion.