Mumbai Indians' coach and the former Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene on Sunday said he feels sad to see emergency law and curfew in his country.
He added that the government cannot ignore the needs of the people who have every right to protest.
"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 tweeted on Sunday.
Sri Lanka is grappling with its worst economic crisis and people are protesting in different cities including capital Colombo against the government's policies.
"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," he wrote on Twitter.
Explosive batter Rajapaksa, playing for Punjab Kings, also stood by his protesting countrymen.
"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.
"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. I implore all concerned to remember that the people are not the enemy. They must be protected at all costs."
Meanwhile, his former teammate Kumar Sangakkara too took to social media, urging that political agenda be put aside for now to solve the situation.
Sangakkara, who is one of the most successful cricketers to have played for Sri Lanka, is currently in India with his IPL team Rajasthan Royals (RR).
Writing on Instagram, Sangakara said: "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.
"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 noted.
Another Sri Lankan legend Roshan Mahanama too has joined in the protests happening in Colombo.
On Friday, Sanath Jayasuriya, Sri Lanka's former skipper known as master blaster, protested against last Thursday night violent attacks by police on protesting people at President Gotobaya Rajapaksa's residence.
"During the past month we SRI LANKANS have suffered together silently. Everything and Everyone has a breaking point. We have reached that point. Yesterday's protests were a result of innocent people's suffering and unfair oppression.
"Let us never be divided on race religion caste or party politics let's unite as
ONE PEOPLE and Stand up for ourselves, our Children and the future generations to come.
"It's about us and not them. Protest peacefully, don't damage public Property and
please don't hurt your fellow brother or sister. This is not about Rioting. It's
about taking a stand for what is right," Jayasuriya, a former lawmaker, wrote on
#WakeUpSriLanka.On Friday, Sanath Jayasuriya, Sri Lanka's former skipper known as master blaster, protested against last Thursday night violent attacks by police on protesting people at President Gotobaya Rajapaksa's residence.
"During the past month we SRI LANKANS have suffered together silently. Everything and Everyone has a breaking point. We have reached that point. Yesterday's protests were a result of innocent people's suffering and unfair oppression.
"Let us never be divided on race religion caste or party politics let's unite as
ONE PEOPLE and Stand up for ourselves, our Children and the future generations to come.
"It's about us and not them. Protest peacefully, don't damage public Property and
please don't hurt your fellow brother or sister. This is not about Rioting. It's
about taking a stand for what is right," Jayasuriya, a former lawmaker, wrote on
#WakeUpSriLanka.
The Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's government has been criticised for their poor handling of the crisis as people continue to struggle to make ends meet on a day-to-day basis.
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