Sangakkara, Jayawardene back anti-government protests

Former Sri Lanka cricketers Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene took to social media to express their concern regarding the current crisis that their country is going through and also expressed solidarity with their countrymen who are suffering the harsh consequences. 

Both Sangakkara and Jayawardene are currently in India for the Indian Premier League (IPL) serving as head coaches for their respective sides. 

"I am sad to see emergency law and curfew in Sri Lanka. The government cannot ignore the needs of the people who have every right to protest. Detaining people who do is not acceptable and I am very proud of the brave Sri Lankan lawyers who rushed to their defence," Jayawardene, head coach of Mumbai Indians, tweeted on Sunday.

Sri Lanka is currently in the midst of a deep financial and economic crisis with people protesting in different cities including capital Colombo against the government's policies.

pic.twitter.com/kxwS4dL3HV; Mahela Jayawardena (@MahelaJay) April 3, 2022

"True leaders own up to mistakes. There is massive urgency here to protect the people of our country united in their suffering. These problems are man-made and can be fixed by the right, qualified people. Certain people controlling the economy of this country have lost the people's confidence and must stand down. We then need a good team to give the country confidence and belief. There is no time to waste. It is time to be humble, not make excuses and to do the right thing. #PeoplePower," Jayawardene wrote on Twitter.   

While Jayawardene blamed the Sri Lankan government for such a plight, Sangakkara, head coach of Rajasthan Royals, was empathetic towards his countrymen.

"Sri Lankans are going through one of the toughest times imaginable. It is heartbreaking to see the despair of people and families as they struggle to make it through the day; and each day for them gets harder. The people are raising their voices and asking for what is needed: a solution," Sangakkara wrote on Instagram. 

"While some are reacting in resentment and anger to that voice, others are trying to take undue advantage of it. The right choice is to listen to the people, put aside destructive personal and political agendas and act in the best interests of Sri Lanka. The people are not an enemy. Sri Lanka is its people. Time is fast running out, the people and their future must be protected and provided for," he added.

Meanwhile, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, who is representing the Punjab Kings in the IPL, also wrote a message for Sri Lankans.

"Even though I am many miles away, I can still feel the anguish of my fellow Sri Lankans, as they struggle to make it through each day.

pic.twitter.com/td9q2mtnjn; Bhanuka Rajapaksa (@BhanukaRajapak3) April 3, 2022

"Now, they have found even their most fundamental rights suppressed, in an effort to quell their voices. But when 22 million voices rise as one, it cannot be ignored. The people of Sri Lanka deserve to be heard.

"The people of Sri Lanka deserve to live without the fear that they may not be able to provide for their families. The people of Sri Lanka deserve better."
"I implore all concerned to remember that the people are not the enemy. They must be protected at all costs," he tweeted.