On 16 March 2022, tens of thousands of supporters of the opposition party, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) led by Sajith Premadasa carried out protests in front of the President's office demanding that the President resign from his position.[27] On 30 March, when Namal Rajapaksa arrived for the opening ceremony of a sports ground in Bandarawela, angry locals blocked the road and demanded fuel, which resulted in Rajapaksa avoiding the area and the grounds being opened by the mayor instead.[28]