In the following JURIST commentary video, Dr. Thamil Ananthavinayagan of the University of Nottingham (UK) discusses the 20 July 2022 parliamentary appointment of Ranil Wickremesinghe as President of Sri Lanka. This is the latest development in a series of political upheavals in recent months that have seen the excitement of the former president and prime minister of Sri Lanka, the two members of the Rajapaksa political dynasty. The replacement came amid a backdrop of economic turmoil that has engulfed the country in recent months, leading to a shortage of food, medication and fuel. Dr. Ananthavinayagan discusses how corruption, post-colonial identity politics and ethnic divisions have paved the way for the current unrest.
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