Sri Lanka Declares State Of Emergency Amid Protests Over Economic Crisis

Mumbai: Sri Lanka has declared a nationwide state of emergency after protests over the country’s worst economic crisis in decades turned violent. In a gazette notification, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said the decision was taken in the interests of public security.

This came a day after hundreds tried to storm his house in anger over the economic crisis.

Rajapaksa issued the “Extraordinary Gazette” declaring a public emergency. The president said he believed there was “a public emergency in Sri Lanka” that required the enforcement of stricter laws.

“The gazette has been issued in the interest of the prevailing situation in the country and in the interest of public safety, protection of public order and maintenance of supplies and services essential to the life of the community,” a statement said.

Under the new rules, the president can change or suspend laws, authorize arrest and detention, confiscate properties and search any premises.

Thousands of people took part in a protest near President Rajapaksa’s residence in the capital Colombo on Thursday, demanding their resignation of President Rajapaksa.

Rajapaksa has blamed “extremist elements” for the violence.

The protesters chanted “Go home Gota!” and “Gota is a dictator”, reported Al Jazeera.

In one of its worst economic crises in decades, Sri Lanka is facing severe foreign exchange shortages, resulting in the Rajapaksa government failing to pay for essential imports.

According to the latest data released on Friday, April 1, inflation in Colombo reached 18.7 per cent in March, while food inflation reached a record 30.1 per cent.

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