COLOMBO: Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Wednesday ordered an immediate curfew in the Western region and the implementation of emergency legislation over the whole island nation, said the spokesperson in the prime minister's office.
As per the BBC, the Prime Minister has reportedly directed the security forces to seize both the vans in which rioters are moving around and the rioters themselves.
The Prime Minister's office is located on Flower Road in Colombo, the state capital, about 20 minutes' walk from Galle Face Green, the major demonstration location, and thousands of protestors forced their way inside.
It is reported that, Wickremesinghe had said that he would resign if President Gotabaya Rajapaksa steps down and an all-party transitional government is established. However, a majority of Sri Lankans want the Prime Minister to quit right away.
Upon Rajapaksa's departure, Wickremesinghe will automatically assume the office of President for a 30-day period in accordance with Sri Lanka's constitution.
In an earlier press briefing, protester Buddhi Prabodha Karunaratne said, "If we don't hear of the resignation of the President and the Prime Minister by Wednesday evening, we may have to gather together and take over Parliament or another government institution."
Sri Lankan Police fire tear gas against protesters
Sri Lanka Prez Rajapaksa flees to Maldives ahead of expected resignation
President's brother cannot leave Sri Lanka due to rising resentment