Colombo, July 18 (BNA) The Acting President of Sri Lanka declared a state of emergency on Monday amid the ongoing political turmoil in the South Asian country.
“It is appropriate to do so in the interests of public security, the protection of public order, and the preservation of supplies and services essential to the life of the community,” Ranil Wickremesinghe said in a statement.
Former Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country last week after massive nationwide protests calling for his resignation.
Wickremesinghe was sworn in as acting president on Friday.
He is also the country’s prime minister.
A new head of state is scheduled to be chosen on Wednesday, and Wickremesinghe is one of the main candidates for the permanent presidential position, German news agency DPA reported.
There are four candidates.
Some protesters are calling for Wickremesinghe to resign as they see him as an ally of Rajapaksa.
Sri Lanka, the island nation of about 22 million people, is currently experiencing the most severe economic crisis in decades, with severe fuel shortages.
The protests have largely subsided since Rajapaksa fled the country and resigned, but some 500 people still occupy parts of the presidential palace after protesters stormed it at the height of the civil unrest.
HF