Rajapaksa leads Sri Lanka protests, calls for government change

Tens of thousands have gathered on the streets of Sri Lanka’s capital to call for the government to go.

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa – who suffered a surprise defeat in the presidential election three years ago – is leading the protest.

President Sirisena’s government was viewed as an opportunity for a fresh start in the South Asian nation, but the protesters say that it is weak and has failed to fulfil its promises.

 

Al Jazeera’s Wayne Hay reports from Colombo.