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France 24
France 24
World

Sri Lanka president declares state of emergency after protests

Sri Lankans demand the resignation of the government in Colombo on May 6, 2022. © Eranga Jayawardena, AP

Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Friday declared a state of emergency giving security forces sweeping powers for the second time in five weeks to deal with escalating anti-government protests.

A spokesman for the president said he invoked the tough laws to "ensure public order" after trade unions staged a nationwide strike Friday demanding his resignation over a worsening economic crisis.

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