Protesters hang underwear in front of Sri Lankan parliament; 'underwear protest' goes viral on social media

COLOMBO: Thousands of shops, schools and businesses closed on Friday as public and private sector workers in Sri Lanka went on strike, demanding the president and the government step down for their mishandling of the island's worst financial crisis in decades. This is the first time in 69 years that Sri Lanka has witnessed such a large hartal.

Protesters were blocked by the security guards from entering the campus of the parliament complex. Hundreds of protesters remained camped outside the main road to parliament where they started a sit-in on Thursday. Many protesters hung their underwear on the barricades as an insult to the political leadership. Messages like "Gotta go home" - a rallying cry from the protests - were scrawled on some of the underpants and vests.

The latest form of protest is being discussed on social media under the headline 'Underwear protest'.

Underwear protest against MP at the Polduwa junction near the Parliament. #SriLankaCrisis pic.twitter.com/VhCj2cZF1V

— Manjula Basnayake (@BasnayakeM) May 6, 2022