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Sri Lankan opposition rallies in first major protest against Dissanayake government
Thousands protested against President Dissanayake’s government for unmet tax relief promises and rising crime, with opposition seeking to regain strength after last year’s election losses.
- On Friday, thousands of opposition activists rallied near Colombo, Sri Lanka to demand pledged tax relief and order in the first major protest against President Anura Kumara Dissanayake's one-year administration.
- Opposition parties say the rally reflected long-standing grievances that Dissanayake’s government failed to deliver on last year’s campaign promises and politicized law enforcement to stifle dissent after defeats in September and November of last year.
- At the protest, Rajapaksa urged voters and said `We are gathered here today to urge the government to deliver what they promised,` while the government arrested Ranil Wickremesinghe, former prime minister, on allegations of misuse of public funds.
- Officials point to measures like reduced electricity bills while acknowledging high income taxes for professionals and businesses, and deny an elevated public danger despite drug gang rivalry.
- Economic aftershocks from 2022 and the 2023 IMF deal mean Sri Lanka remains burdened after declaring bankruptcy with more than $83 billion in debt and securing a $2,900,000,000 bailout.
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Sri Lankan opposition rallies in first major protest against Dissanayake government
Thousands of opposition activists have rallied near Sri Lanka’s capital to demand that the government fulfill pledges to ease taxes and restore order, in the first major protest against President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s administration as it marks one year in office Opposition parties accuse Dissa
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Total News Sources11
Leaning Left3Leaning Right1Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution56% Center
Bias Distribution
- 56% of the sources are Center
56% Center
L 33%
C 56%
11%
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