The government says a state of emergency was declared once again with the aim of ensuring political stability and safety to public life.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa declared a state of emergency which is currently in effect as of midnight.
Issuing a statement the government said Sri Lanka is now facing the worst economic, social and political crisis since it gained independence, as a result of a number of factors with short-term and long-term consequences.
The government claimed that the Sri Lankan needs to make a series of major political, economic and social reforms, in order to overcome the present crisis.
These measures include the management of the foreign exchange shortage within the shortest possible time, and the restoration of the supply of goods and services.
It is the government’s stance that the country requires political stability and social peace for Sri Lanka to capitalise on debt restructuring talks with the International Monetary Fund and also to obtain financial relief from multinational corporations and friendly nations.
The statement by the State said essential services, including fuel supply, have been disrupted due to provocative protests organized across the country, including in capital cities which pose a serious threat to public security.
It also claimed that rail and public transport together with daily activities at hospitals have been disrupted due to the protests, in which the public have been inconvenienced.
The statement pointed out that protests are worsening the economic crisis, in addition to disrupting public life.
Therefore, the government says the state of emergency was introduced in accordance with powers vested in the President through the Public Security Ordinance to achieve the objectives of public safety and security, continuation of essential supplies and services and ensuring the free movement of people.
The government assured that the state of emergency was imposed as a short-term measure to defuse the crisis and will be removed as soon as the situation improves.
