36-hour curfew imposed in Sri Lanka until April 4 morning

After the President declared a state of emergency, the Sri Lankan government announced a country-wide curfew from 6 p.m until 6 a.m on Monday.

The President of Sri Lanka invoked his powers and declared an emergent situation, whereby the curfew was imposed, the government information department said.

The Police and Military have taken over the charge and both forces patrolled Sri Lanka’s Capital Colombo.

The state of emergency was declared to tackle growing unrest amid an unprecedented economic crisis.

Late Friday President Gotabaya Rajapaksa invoked tough laws that allow the military to arrest and detain protestors without warrants.

Thousands of protestors had come on roads against the acute shortage of essential supplies and services.

The protestors demanded the ouster of Rajapaksha and clashed with police and military outside the president’s residence. Several army vehicles were destroyed. Police arrested 53 people and then imposed a curfew in and around Colombo on Friday. / ILNS/SNG/