Sri Lanka’s acting president Ranil Wickremesinghe has declared yet another state of emergency, as lawmakers prepare to vote for a new head of state this week.
Wickremesinghe issued a gazette late on Sunday night, reportedly “in the interests of public security, the protection of public order and the maintenance of supplies and services essential to the life of the community”.
The move is at least third state of emergency to be declared in the last two months alone, as Sri Lanka faces both economic and political crises.
This week, Sri Lanka’s parliament will decide who will take Wickremesinghe’s place as acting president. With a few names already put forward, Wickremesinghe too is angling for a run at the presidency.
After Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country and resigned, Wickremesinghe took his place and as one of his first acts wen to visit injured soldiers last week.
At least four other names - Sajith Premadasa, Dullas Alahapperuma, Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Sarath Fonseka – are reported to be in the running for Wednesday’s vote.