Highlight
- Sri Lanka declared a state of emergency on Wednesday amid economic crisis
- PMO said that emergency and curfew has been imposed in the Western Province
- The Prime Minister has also ordered the security forces to arrest the people who instigated the riots.
sri lanka crisis update: Sri Lanka declared a state of emergency on Wednesday (July 13) after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled to the Maldives on a military jet to face a public revolt against his government for mishandling the country’s economy.
The Prime Minister’s Office informed media organizations that a state of emergency has been imposed in the country and a curfew has been imposed in the Western Province.
The Prime Minister has also ordered the security forces to arrest the rioters and confiscate their vehicles.
Earlier, the police fired tear gas at the protesters who had gathered near the office of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Flower Road in Colombo.
Meanwhile, protesters marched to the office of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Flower Street after news broke that President Rajapaksa had fled to the Maldives, demanding his resignation.
The police fired tear gas shells at the protesters who had gathered near the PM’s office. Despite tear gas shells, protesters broke through a barricade and stormed the prime minister’s office.
Prime Minister Wickremesinghe has already said he is ready to resign and make way for an all-party government.
Protesters also gathered around the residence of the Speaker of Parliament. The Colombo Gazette news portal reported that the army was deployed to control the situation.
The US Embassy in Colombo has canceled its services for the next two days as a precaution.
(with inputs from agencies)