Advertisement
3 years ago

Sri Lanka has declared a state of emergency giving sweeping powers to security forces. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa invoked the tough law  a day after hundreds tried to storm his house in anger over an unprecedented economic crisis.

The emergency was declared for "protection of public order and the maintenance of supplies and services essential to the life of the community," he said in a proclamation.  

The nation of 22 million is facing severe shortages of essentials, sharp price rises and crippling power cuts in its most painful downturn since independence from Britain in 1948.

Here are the Highlights on Sri Lanka Economic Crisis:

36-Hour Curfew In Sri Lanka Amid Protests Over Worst Economic Crisis: 10 Points
A 36-hour curfew has been imposed in Sri Lanka from Saturday 6pm to Monday 6 am amid a spate of protests over the economic crisis in the island nation.
Diesel from India reaches crisis-hit Lanka
A consignment of 40,000 metric tonnes of diesel from India reached Sri Lanka on Saturday, the fourth such assistance from New Delhi, to mitigate the spike in power cuts in the island nation, which is facing an unprecedented economic and energy crisis caused due to shortage of foreign exchange.

Power cuts lasting over 13 hours were imposed on Thursday, the longest cut since 1996 when a strike by the state power entity employees caused a 72-hour black out.
Sri Lanka imposes police curfew in Western province amid unrest in island
Sri Lanka has imposed a police curfew in Western Province for six hours amid unrest after protests were held outside Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's residence over the worsening economic crisis in the island nation.

"Police curfew will be in effect within the Western Province from midnight until 6.00 a.m. April 2 (tomorrow)," Police Spokesperson said, according to Daily Mirror.

Crisis At Home, Sri Lankans Extend A Helping Hand To Stranded Ukrainians
As the sun dips below the Indian Ocean waves, Ukrainian tourist Viktoria Makarenko and her daughter light incense every evening at a temple in a Sri Lankan beach resort to pray for a return home.


President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has defended his government's actions, saying the foreign exchange crisis was not his making and the economic downturn was largely pandemic driven where the island's tourism revenue and inward remittances waning.
Ruling coalition party urges President Gotabaya to form all-party government
Sri Lanka's former president Maithripala Sirisena's Freedom Party has called on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to form an all-party government to tide over the worst economic crisis, reports PTI.
Sri Lanka Economic Crisis: Ship Carrying Diesel Reaches Lanka Amid State Of Emergency: 10 Points
A ship carrying 40,000 tonnes of diesel under a $1 billion credit line given to Sri Lanka by India has reached the island nation. The fuel will be distributed across Sri Lanka this evening.
Sri Lanka Economic Crisis LIVE Updates: Tight Security In Sri Lanka's Capital Colombo
Sri Lanka Crisis | Watch: Ship Carrying Diesel Reaches Lanka Amid State Of Emergency
A ship carrying 40,000 tonnes of diesel under a $1 billion credit line given to Sri Lanka by India has reached the island nation. The fuel will be distributed across Sri Lanka this evening.
Sri Lanka Economic Crisis LIVE Updates: India Starts Supplying Rice To Sri Lanka
Indian traders have started loading 40,000 tonnes of rice for prompt shipment to Sri Lanka in the first major food aid since Colombo secured credit line from New Delhi, two officials told Reuters on Saturday. The Indian Ocean island nation of 22 million people is struggling to pay for essential imports after a 70% drop in foreign exchange reserves in two years led to a currency devaluation and efforts to seek help from global lenders. The shipment of the staple comes before a key festival in Sri Lanka.
Troops deployed across Lanka to quell protests

Troops armed with sweeping powers to detain suspects were deployed in Sri Lanka Saturday, hours after the president declared a state of emergency as protests against him escalated, reports AFP.
Ship carrying diesel reaches Sri Lanka

Vessel carrying 40,000 metric tonnes of diesel under a $1 billion credit line given to Sri Lanka by India has reached the island nation. The distribution of the fuel will begin this evening.
Sri Lanka Crisis | Sri Lanka Declares State Of Emergency After Unrest Over Economic Crisis
Sri Lanka's president declared a state of emergency Friday giving sweeping powers to security forces a day after hundreds tried to storm his house in anger over an unprecedented economic crisis.


The nation of 22 million is facing severe shortages of essentials, sharp price rises and crippling power cuts in its most painful downturn since independence from Britain in 1948.
53 arrested after protests outside President Rajapaksa's residence

Police arrested 53 people and imposed a curfew in and around Colombo on Friday to contain sporadic protests that have broken out over shortages of essential items including fuel and other goods.
One wounded as protest at Sri Lanka leader's home turns violent
At least one man was reported to be critically wounded as the protest by hundreds of people at Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa turned violent Thursday.
Sri Lanka Declares State Of Emergency After Fresh Protests

Sri Lanka has declared a state of emergency giving sweeping powers to security forces. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa invoked the tough law  a day after hundreds tried to storm his house in anger over an unprecedented economic crisis.
For all the news updates from yesterday, click here

Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world

Follow us: