Come rain come sunshine, the protests against president Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his government continue to draw the crowds in their numbers. With the increasingly amplifying momentum against the current administration, thanks in large parts to social media, there’s an indication that the Rajapaksa-led government may be looking to dilute the proceedings through their not-so-unfamiliar digital tactics. Now, it appears that the protestors are seeking to actively counter these efforts as #gohomegota2022 gets its own website.
On the outlook, “gohomegota.online” aims to archive and share updates on everything with regard to the ongoing protests. The site appears to be fairly new at the moment and the website feels like it’s still a work in progress. At the time of writing, most of the content appears to be centered around the Galle Face protest, which has incidentally crossed its fourth consecutive day.
#gohomegota2022: from a hashtag to a website
The website has a dedicated area for the public to request supplies for protestors. It’s basically a webpage with the comment functionality. Users can post their requirements as a comment and anyone willing to assist could reply. While it’s crudely built, the page already has engaging communication pertaining to various needs of ongoing protests. Some have even taken the comment section to make creative suggestions. For instance, one posted an idea for a panel, an idea hub of sorts, where anyone can jot down their suggestions for new innovations or ways to promote development.
Another page listed as “news” seemingly shares updates about the protests themselves. At the time of this article, the page listed the time and location details of the #gohomegota2022 protests for April 11. There’s also a separate area for stories. As of now, it appears to function as a noticeboard for congratulatory messages in contrast to actual stories. But anyone interested in submitting their own story can do so on the website.
Cautious optimism
The website is clearly in its early days, though it already shows a glimpse of its potential. But while progressive approaches toward peaceful forms of protesting should be encouraged, it’s also important to exercise caution online. Especially when it relates to sharing your personal information on a public forum. Additionally, it wouldn’t hurt to verify authenticity before committing to anything.
Regardless, the website paints a clear picture of the increasingly important role of the digital space with the #gohomegota2022 protests. It’s a reflection of the growing synergy of online and offline protests against the president. How far these efforts will pan out, time will tell. For the moment, cautious optimism is of the essence.
How you can help with the ongoing situation in Sri Lanka
Since you’re here, we thought of shining the light on some of the most pressing needs among many Sri Lankan communities. One of the direst needs right now is medical supplies. The current crisis has crippled the Sri Lankan health system to the point where hospitals are literally running out of essential medicine. So, in case you’re looking for ways to offer support in procuring medicine you could reach out to the following,
- Director of Medical Technology Services at Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka: Dr. Anver Hamdani
- Official contact number: +94 771214131
- Email: [email protected]
There are also multiple efforts to provide warm meals to much-needed communities. We’ve listed a few of these community-driven initiatives here.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings