Sri Lanka declares public emergency amidst protests over economic crisis
Colombo, Apr 2 (PTI) Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has declared a public emergency amidst a spate of protests over the worst economic crisis in the country.
Rajapaksa issued a special gazette notification on Friday, declaring a public emergency in Sri Lanka with effect from April 1.
On the President's command, Secretary to the President Gamini Senarath issued the Extraordinary Gazette Notification.
The move came after a violent protest erupted outside the residence of Rajapaksa on Thursday as hundreds of demonstrators gathered there and demanded his resignation for what they called his failure in addressing the worst economic crisis in the island nation.
Several people were injured and vehicles were set on fire as the agitation turned violent. Police fired tear gas and water cannons at the protesters after they pulled down a steel barricade placed near the president's residence. Following the incident, several people were arrested and a curfew briefly imposed in most parts of Colombo city.
A foreign exchange crunch in Sri Lanka has led to a shortage of essential goods such as fuel and cooking gas. Power cuts that last up to 13 hours a day.
A statement issued by the presidential media division on Friday said an extremist group was behind the unrest near President Rajapaksa's residence in Mirihana.
Meanwhile, the police said the number of people arrested in the aftermath of the violence has risen to 54. Lawyers linked to opposition parties claimed that the police might charge those arrested under the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).
Five policemen were injured, while a police bus, a jeep and two motorcycles were burnt as protesters turned violent. The demonstrators also caused damage to a police water cannon truck.
Sri Lanka is currently experiencing its worst economic crisis in history. With long lines for fuel, cooking gas, essentials in short supply and long hours of power cuts the public has been suffering for weeks.
Rajapaksa has defended his government's actions, saying the foreign exchange crisis was not his making and the economic downturn was largely pandemic driven where the island's tourism revenue and inward remittances waning.
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Gujarat Titans’ Glenn Phillips ruled out of IPL due to injury
Ahmedabad, Apr 12 (PTI): Gujarat Titans all-rounder Glenn Phillips has been ruled out of the remainder of the Indian Premier League due to a groin injury, the franchise announced on Saturday.
The Kiwi all-rounder, who has returned home, "sustained a groin injury during the IPL contest against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 6," the Titans said in a statement.
While Phillips has not been part of GT's playing XI all season, he was on as a substitute fielder in the game against SRH.
The injury occurred in the final over of the powerplay during SRH’s inning. Phillips, who was stationed at point, chased down a shot from Ishan Kishan. But as he threw the ball back, he appeared to overstretch his groin and collapsed to the ground in pain.
Phillips then is hobbled off the field with some assistance from other from the GT camp.
Phillips is the second player from the Gujarat Titans' camp to have returned home. Earlier, South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada left the team to go back home owing to personal reasons.
