Sri Lanka declares state of emergency after President escapes to Maldives
Colombo [Sri Lanka], July 13: Crisis-hit Sri Lanka declared nationwide emergency and imposed a curfew in the western province of the country as protests intensified amid the President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's escape to the Maldives.
While addressing the media, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said, "Since the president is out of the country, an emergency has been declared to deal with the situation in the country.”
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As Prime Minister declared the state of emergency protesters came prepared to face tear gas shelling by security forces deployed outside Wickremesinghe's residence. Air patrolling also began around the PM's residence.
Sources also reported that Wickremesinghe ordered the security forces to arrest those acting in a riotous manner.
Military personnel used tear gas shells to disperse protestors who scaled the wall to enter the Sri Lankan PM's residence in Colombo.
Sri Lankan Foreign Minister also stated that, "We want the PM to resign because as per our constitution if the President resigns, the PM becomes the acting President. People want both of them to leave. Police took action by tear gas shelling. Army troops moved in.”
Earlier, on Wednesday morning Sri Lankan authorities confirmed that Gotabaya Rajapaksa had flown to the Maldives with his wife and two bodyguards after full approval of the country's Defence Ministry.
Gotabaya landed at the Velana International Airport in Male on a Sri Lankan Air Force plane. The Prime Minister's Office also confirmed the development.
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Meanwhile, the country is facing a severe shortage of fuel and other essential supplies.
-PTC News
