Sri Lankans unite against Rajapaksa rulers after economic crisis

Despite island-wide protests calling for them to step down, the President and Prime Minister of Sri Lanka are standing firm.

But their refusal has unified people of every faith and overnight tens of thousands joined the largest protest in the country's history.

They came in their thousands, taking over Colombo's waterfront outside the Presidential Palace.

"Go home Gota! Go home Gota!" the crowd chanted.

In a country more familiar with religious and racial separatism, Buddhist monks, clergymen and Muslims set aside ideology for a common objective. Even Friday prayers were moved outside of mosques and among the masses.

Buses and water cannons stood between the president and the people who accuse successive governments of corruption and economic mismanagement.

And the people want the leadership brothers President and Prime Minister Rajapaksa to face consequences.

But with calls for their resignation, the pair refuse to budge.

"They don't even step down, so you can see the power-hungry they are," one person said.

Newly-minted finance minister Ali Sabry has a tough job fixing the economy. 

The country has NZ$18 billion in outstanding international debt. He says an injection of $4 billion is needed to keep the economy afloat over the next six months.

"Please send in your money on the official channels so that you strengthen the coffers of the central bank," he said.

But the Sri Lankan community here in New Zealand is weary of sending monetary aid, instead banding together to address supplies the people are in desperate need of like food, fuel and dwindling medical supplies.

But those in Sri Lanka are in desperate need of help with one resounding message: "We have suffered enough, that's enough."

And clear they're not going anywhere while the President's in power.