Democracy Protests in Sri Lanka

Elsewhere in Asia, democracy is not working as smoothly. The president of Sri Lanka has proposed a constitutional amendment that would give him sweeping powers. Protesters in the capital city of Colombo held a mock funeral this past week to symbolize the death of democracy.<br /><br />Hundreds of protesters take to the streets in Sri Lanka's capital Colombo.<br /><br />Supporters of the main opposition United National party - or UNP - hold a mock funeral procession.<br /><br />They carry an effigy of the president, and a coffin symbolizing the 'death of democracy'.<br /><br />The crowds rally against the proposed changes in the law which would lift a two-term restriction on the presidency and give further powers to Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa.<br /><br />The amendment would allow Rajapaksa to contest another term and replace a ten-member constitutional council with a five-member panel that has no veto power and only two opposition members.<br /><br />[Ranil Wickremesinghe, Opposition Leader]:<br />"This amendment is against the constitution, against the standing orders, against the wishes of the people and is against democracy. Therefore we will take steps to re-establish democracy in this country and give the power of the vote back to the people."<br /><br />Critics accuse Rajapaksa of stifling dissent, jailing opposition, showing scant respect for rule of law, and of reneging on a pledge to cut presidential powers.<br /><br />Analysts have also blamed the constitution for contributing to insurrections in the island nation, by failing to address the rights of the poor and minorities.