Severe shortages of food, fuel, and other essentials have been affecting Sri Lanka for months, causing widespread misery.
On April 5, 2022, Sri Lanka's President Gotabaya Rajapaksa lost his parliamentary majority as former allies urged his resignation following days of street protests over the island nation's crippling economic crisis.
Unprecedented shortages of food and fuel, along with record inflation and blackouts, have been inflicting pain on the country since its independence from Britain in 1948.
President Rajapaksa's once-powerful ruling coalition is in turmoil after a string of defections, capped on April 5 by the new finance minister's resignation just one day after taking office.
Anti-Rajapaksa demonstrations continued for a fifth straight day, with the government warning of retaliation if rallies turned violent.
“Security forces will not hesitate to enforce the law against those involved in violence,” Defence Ministry Secretary Kamal Gunaratne said in a statement.
More than 60 people had been arrested in connection with unrest since Friday, with many alleging they were tortured in police custody.
The UN Human Rights Council said it was closely watching the deteriorating situation in Sri Lanka, which is already facing international censure over its human rights record.
Public anger is at a fever pitch in Sri Lanka, where crowds have attempted to storm the homes of several senior government officials.
“If we don't act now, there will be a river of blood in the country,” said Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, a newly independent lawmaker who broke ranks with the president's party and joined calls for the leader to step down.
Opposition parties have already rebuffed Rajapaksa's call to join a unity administration led by him and his elder brother, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.
The government imposed a state of emergency last week in an effort to contain street protests, but the ordinance is set to expire next week unless ratified by parliament.
Rejecting calls for a vote on the emergency decree, the government cut short the parliamentary session by two hours, but promised a debate on Wednesday.
Most demonstrations have been peaceful, with Catholic clergy and nuns led by Sri Lanka's Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith leading a procession in the capital.
“This is a valuable country with intelligent people. But our intelligence, the people's intelligence, has been insulted by corruption,” Ranjith said.
“Therefore now we call out… please now listen to the cry of the people and step down.”
