Sri Lanka: acting president declares state of emergency ahead of MPs’ vote

Declaration called expedient' as Ranil Wickremesinghe tries to curb unrest over ongoing political and economic crises

Sri Lanka's acting president, Ranil Wickremesinghe, has declared a state of emergency as his administration seeks to quell social unrest and tackle an economic crisis gripping the island nation.

It is expedient, so to do, 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," a government notice released late on Sunday said.