Colombo (Sri Lanka), July 18: As the island nation struggles with social unrest and a crippling economic crisis, Sri Lanka's acting president Ranil Wickremesinghe issued an Extraordinary Gazette declaring a State of Emergency in the country with effect from Monday.
The public emergency in Sri Lanka has been declared in the interests of public security, the maintenance of public order, and the maintenance of supplies and services essential to community life, according to the gazette notification, local media outlet Daily Mirror reported.
According to the news outlet, the state of emergency has been declared in a proclamation by Wickremesinghe in terms of Article 40(1)(C) of the Constitution, by virtue of the powers vested in him by Section 2 of the Public Security Ordinance (Chapter 40), as amended by Act No. 8 of 1959, Law No. 6 of 1978 and Act No. 28 of 1988.
Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa tendered his resignation after fleeing the country to Singapore. The president first escaped to the Maldives after tens of thousands of protesters stormed his official residence in the capital Colombo.
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The nominations for the presidential election will take place on Tuesday, and the winner will be chosen on July 20, according to a statement from the Sri Lankan Parliament.
The main opposition leader Sajith Premadasa is set to contest the presidential elections. Terming the scenario of him winning Sri Lanka's presidential elections an "uphill task", Premadasa on Friday stated that he will run in the polls as he is confident that the truth will prevail.
Due to a scarcity of basic production inputs, currency depreciation of 80% since March 2022, a lack of foreign reserves, and the nation's failure to pay its international debt obligations, Sri Lanka's economy is poised for a rapid shrinkage.
Due to a fuel shortage, hundreds of Sri Lankans continue to wait in line at gas stations every day. Additionally, many people are switching from driving cars and motorcycles to riding bicycles for the main commute.
The worst economic crisis in Sri Lanka's history has led to a severe lack of essentials like fuel. In Sri Lanka, long lines at gas stations have become the new norm, and prices change depending on supply.
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-PTC News