New Delhi: In the middle of violent protests over the financial crisis in Sri Lanka, the island country’s acting president – Ranil Wickremesinghe has declared a state of emergency, said a government notice released late on Sunday.
According to the official notice, It is expedient, so to do, 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.
Wickremesinghe had announced a state of emergency last week after president Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country to escape a popular uprising against his government. Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s resignation was accepted by parliament on Friday.
It was unclear whether that order had been withdrawn or had lapsed, or whether Wickremesinghe had reissued the order in his capacity as acting president, having been sworn in on 15 July. A spokesperson for Wickremesinghe’s office did not respond to the media’s request for comment.
Wickremesinghe, an ally of Rajapaksa, is one of the top contenders to take on the presidency full-time but protesters also want him gone, leading to the prospect of further unrest should he be elected. Wickremesinghe was appointed interim president on Friday after informally occupying the role since Wednesday, and the announcement was greeted with anger and frustration on the streets of Colombo.
(Vinayak)