Perils of Making Government a Family Business
A security vehicle burns near Sri Lankan outgoing Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa's official residence in Colombo on Monday.
Photographer: Ishara S. Kodikara/AFP/Getty Images
While many countries have political dynasties that take turns in power, the diverging fortunes of two prominent examples in Asia this week show the pitfalls of turning a government into a family business.
In Sri Lanka, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa saw protesters burning the houses of his family members after government supporters attacked demonstrators camping out in downtown Colombo to peacefully demand his resignation.