Crisis-hit Sri Lanka declared a nationwide state of emergency on Wednesday. Hours after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country, the Prime Minister’s office said. “Since the president is out of the country, an emergency has been declared to deal with the situation in the country,” Prime Minister’s spokesman Dinouk Colombage said.
The island nation is mired in a deep political and economic crisis. The country’s president flew out of the country days after a huge crowd of protesters stormed his residence.
The country with a 22 million population has suffered months of lengthy blackouts. Also faced acute food and fuel shortages, and galloping inflation in its most painful downturn on record.
The Sri Lankan citizens have continued to demand the resignation of President Rajapaksa. Government has been blamed for the chronic mismanagement of the country’s finances.