Sri Lanka declares state of emergency amid unrest

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Friday night declared a state of emergency amid public protests caused by the economic crisis.

In a special gazette issued by the president, it stated that emergency law was declared in the interests of public security, the protection of public order and the maintenance of supplies and services essential to the life of the community.

Sri Lanka has been plunged in weeks of economic crisis stemming from a foreign exchange shortage which has led to a shortage in essential supplies such as fuel, food and medicines, reports Xinhua.

On April 1 a special gazette was issued declaring a public emergency in Sri Lanka, which was revoked from midnight of April 5. Protests have been ongoing for days calling on the government and lawmakers to find urgent solutions.