Sri Lanka declares a state of emergency to stop the protests that have caused the shutdown of schools, businesses, and transport. Sri Lanka’s President Gotabaya Rajapaksa declared a state of emergency on Friday.
Protesters who obstruct roads will be arrested under a state of emergency. Sri Lanka’s parliament must pass the proposal within 14 days.
Since March, the country has been rocked by civil unrest, with rallies turning violent at times as discontent grows over the government’s perceived mishandling of the country’s economic problems.
On Friday, police fired tear gas at protesters near the country’s parliament in the national capital of Colombo.
The state of emergency drew criticism from some, with opposition leader Sajith Premadasa saying the measure “runs counter to seeking any solution to the crisis.”
On April 1, Rajapaksa imposed a state of emergency, but it was revoked after five days.
Protesters have called for Rajapaksa’s resignation, citing soaring food, fuel, and other basic needs as the government runs out of cash. Many people have been forced to stand in the scorching heat for hours to fill their gas tanks or acquire food and medicine.
Sri Lanka’s Finance Minister Ali Sabry stated this week that the country’s financial reserves are nearly depleted. The country has requested emergency funding from the International Monetary Fund which has not yet approved any loan. The country is trying to survive with humanitarian aid. India is among the contributors of essential goods to the country supplying hundreds of millions worth of goods.
Millions of workers were on strike today, with all but one scheduled train service canceled, thanks to the country’s trade union movement. Private buses were taken off the road, while factory workers marched outside their workplaces and black flags were hung across the country in protest of the administration.