Sri Lanka’s growing economic crisis could give way to a political score settling

Mass protests sparked by Sri Lanka’s deepening economic crisis could catalyze political change, but the country’s long-term financial outlook remains bleak, pointing to more unrest as basic goods and services become scarce . Social unrest caused by the severe economic crisis in Sri Lanka has turned into a popular movement demanding political change in the country. In recent days, thousands of people have protested against the government amid widespread shortages of food, fuel, medicine and electricity. A combination of economic mismanagement and protracted negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) over a bailout has heightened tensions between Sri Lankans and their political leaders in Colombo. Against this backdrop, calls for the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa have grown as the public blames their authoritarian leadership style for the country’s woes. …