Image source, NURPHOTO/GETTY IMAGES
Vehicles burnt during a protest in front of President Rajapaksa’s house
President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa declared a state of emergency in Sri Lanka at midnight yesterday amid a series of popular protests and a severe economic crisis in the country. The decision comes on the heels of a violent protest in front of the president’s house at midnight yesterday.
People in Sri Lanka are suffering from a severe economic crisis. Sri Lanka is facing such an economic crisis as its debt has increased and foreign exchange reserves have been depleted. Countries like India are borrowing more to deal with the crisis. Efforts have also been made to obtain a loan from the International Monetary Fund. Essentials are in short supply as they all rely on imports. For example, even chicken feed has to be imported from the United States. Milk, sugar, eggs, petrol, diesel and gas are all expensive.
As the country’s major power plants run on diesel, they have also reduced production or shut down. Thus causing long-term power outages. A maximum of 13 hours of power outages were reported in most places as diesel was not available on Thursday evening. Many companies have asked their employees to stay home because of the crisis.
So far 45 people, including a woman, have been arrested in connection with the protest. Five people were injured in the violence and a police jeep and two two-wheelers were set on fire, police said. Following the protest, police imposed curfews in Colombo North, Colombo South, Central Colombo and Nugegoda. It was stated that this restriction would remain in force until further notice.
In this context, President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has declared a state of emergency in Sri Lanka as protests intensify amid a severe economic crisis. Gamini Senarath, Secretary to the President, said in a statement issued at midnight yesterday that “Sri Lanka has declared a state of emergency to maintain public safety, law and order and the provision of goods and services for the livelihood of the people.”
With this declaration of emergency the suspects can be arrested without a warrant.