Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Declares State Of Emergency

As the public protests against the government continue in Sri Lanka over the economic crisis, police fired tear gas shells and water cannons on the students trying to storm the Parliament of Sri Lanka on Friday.

Protestors scuffle with police during a demonstration against the economic crisis near the parliament building in Colombo (File photo: AFP)

New Delhi: Amid nationwide protest over a massive economic crisis, Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Friday declared an emergency in the country from midnight as reported by news agency PTI. As the public protests against the government continue in Sri Lanka over the economic crisis, police fired tear gas shells and water cannons on the students trying to storm the Parliament of Sri Lanka on Friday. The trade union went on a nationwide strike demanding the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his government, which failed to deal with the economic crisis.

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa declares emergency with effect from Friday midnight: Official

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 6, 2022

Sri Lanka's main opposition had moved an impeachment motion to remove President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and a no-confidence motion against the government led by his elder brother Mahinda Rajapaksa. Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa and the leader of the United People's Force made two proposals to Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena. In its no-confidence motion against the government, the opposition alleged that the prime minister and the ministers had failed in their collective responsibility for the financial situation.

The people of this country with a population of 22 million have been battling blackouts, and shortages of food, fuel, and medicines for many months. The situation in the island nation is the worst since its independence in 1948. The anger among the public is increasing about the government which has failed to handle this crisis. Protests are taking place across the country demanding the resignation of the government.

Sri Lanka is facing the biggest economic crisis since its independence and people are facing severe power cuts as well as a shortage of essential commodities. Rajapaksa had also declared a state of emergency on April 1 after massive protests outside his private residence. However, it was withdrawn on 5 April.