“The Conspiracy” By Gotabaya Rajapaksa

Former Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa emerged from a long period of silence, unveiling a book in which he asserts that his removal from office was orchestrated by geopolitical tensions, particularly between China and other nations. Entitled The Conspiracy to Oust Me from the Presidency, Rajapaksa’s book hit the shelves without an official launch, shedding light on his perspective regarding the circumstances leading to his departure.

What the Book Reveals

In the pages of his book, Rajapaksa lays out his belief that external forces, motivated by geopolitical interests, played a significant role in his ousting. He alleges that a major foreign power exerted pressure to ensure his continued tenure, citing a determination to maintain Sri Lanka’s alignment with their strategic objectives. According to Rajapaksa, this foreign influence manifested in various forms, indicating a concerted effort to manipulate Sri Lanka’s internal affairs.

Context of Rajapaksa’s Resignation

The backdrop against which Rajapaksa’s resignation occurred is crucial to understanding his narrative. In mid-July 2022, amidst economic turmoil and widespread shortages, he fled the country for the Maldives following pressure to step down. India’s intervention, offering a substantial credit line of USD 4 billion, coincided with his departure, highlighting the precarious state of Sri Lanka’s economy at the time.

Geopolitical Dynamics with China

Rajapaksa’s book underscores the impact of Chinese-funded infrastructure projects on Sri Lanka’s political landscape, suggesting that these initiatives intensified geopolitical rivalries. By aligning with China through development projects initiated after 2006, Sri Lanka found itself entangled in global power struggles, a reality that Rajapaksa believes contributed to his downfall. He warns against overlooking the significance of foreign involvement in domestic affairs, particularly in the context of infrastructure investments.

Warnings from the United States

Amidst growing concerns over Sri Lanka’s indebtedness to China, the United States issued warnings regarding the risks associated with such arrangements. While Rajapaksa refrains from explicitly naming the countries involved in his ousting, his references to nations positioning themselves as arbiters of democracy and the rule of law suggest a veiled criticism aimed at Western powers, particularly the United States. This narrative underscores the complexity of Sri Lanka’s geopolitical positioning and the influence of competing global interests.

Shifting the Narrative of Political Upheaval

Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s book offers a provocative interpretation of his tenure as Sri Lanka’s president and subsequent ousting. By framing his resignation within the context of geopolitical rivalries, particularly between China and other nations, he challenges prevailing narratives surrounding his departure. Whether his assertions will reshape public perception or merely add fuel to existing debates remains to be seen, but his account adds another layer of complexity to Sri Lanka’s evolving political landscape.