Sri Lanka: Catharsis of a Teardrop

After Covid, Belgian banker Erik Versavel prepared for yet another international assignment — this time in Sri Lanka. He soon found himself on a journey through one of the turbulent periods in the island nation's modern history. Drawing on first-hand experience, Sri Lanka: Catharsis of a Teardrop chronicles the country's economic collapse, popular uprising and political revolution of 2022. Combining personal memoir, travel writing and political commentary, Versavel takes readers beyond tropical beaches and ancient temples to show a nation struggling with corruption, bureaucracy, religious nationalism and economic mismanagement. With sharp observation, dry irony and humour, he explores the contrasts that define Sri Lanka: hospitality alongside political divisions, natural beauty beside urban decay and pollution, and a resilient people confronting repeated crises. This is the story of an international nomad reflecting on identity and belonging after nearly forty years of living and working across Asia and Europe. It is an intimate memoir and a compelling portrait of a country in the unmistakable shape of a teardrop, seeking a catharsis.