Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Friday declared a state of emergency for the second time in five weeks, giving broad powers to the security forces to deal with anti -government protests.
A spokesman for the presidency explained that the Head of State is taking this step to maintain public order after a general strike organized the same day by unions demanding his resignation behind the worsening economic crisis.
The president used his executive power to use state emergency provisions to ensure the maintenance of vital services and public order.said the speaker.
The state of emergency will take effect on Friday midnight.
On Friday, police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse students trying to attack parliament demanding the resignation of President Rajapaksa.
Public transportation stopped, offices were deserted, and millions of workers went on strike at the call of the unions.
The state of emergency gives broad powers to the security forces to arrest suspects and detain them for long periods of time without judicial oversight.
It also allows for the deployment of soldiers to maintain order, in support of the police.
President Rajapaksa had earlier declared a state of emergency on April 1, a day after a demonstration in which thousands of protesters tried to storm his residence in the capital. This state of emergency expired on April 14.
But demonstrations against the president continued with renewed vigor. Thousands of demonstrators gathered outside the president’s office, and small groups tried to enter politicians ’residences.
The police force, numbering 85,000 men, has tightened security around all representatives of the ruling party.
Protesters blame the president and his clan for the devastating economic crisis the country is going through.
Sri Lanka is going through its worst economic crisis since it became independent in 1948 with shortages of fuel, food and other basic necessities.
Source: Radio-Canada
