Sri Lanka acting president declares emergency amid protests

By BHARATHA MALLAWARACHI
Associated Press

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Sri Lanka’s acting president has declared a state of emergency that gives him broad authority amid growing protests demanding his resignation two days before lawmakers choose a new president. Ranil Wickremesinghe became acting president on Friday after his predecessor, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, fled abroad and resigned after months of protests over the country’s economic collapse. Wickremesinghe’s state of emergency imposition comes as protests demanding his resignation have continued. Wickremesinghe says bailout package negotiations with the International Monetary Fund are nearing conclusion. The IMF hasn’t commented. Lawmakers will meet on Wednesday to elect a new president.