Sri Lanka declares a state of emergency

Sri Lanka is in a state of emergency, as protesters push for a new government amid economic uncertainty

Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has been appointed as the nation’s acting president.

It follows the incumbent Gotabaya Rajapaksa fleeing the country on a military jet.

It is believed the 73-year-old landed in the Maldives and will soon make his way to his final destination with his wife and two security officials.

Sri Lanka is in the grips of its worst economic crisis in 70 years, with protesters storming the presidential palace at the weekend.

Rajapaksa promised to resign by Wednesday. His departure ends a family dynasty, which has been at the helm of Sri Lankan politics for two decades.

It’s understood police fired tear gas at protesters to stop them from clashing with security officials.

Worsening economic crisis

Sri Lanka has previously defaulted on its debt for the first time in its history.

Earlier this year, the nation was forced to come up with $78 million of unpaid debt interest payments.

Police have imposed a curfew across the Western Province, which includes the nation’s capital of Colombo.

Wickremesinghe has also announced an intention to resign if there is no consensus on forming a unity government.

The President of Sri Lanka enjoys freedom from arrest, which has allowed Rajapaksa to leave the nation to avoid being detained.