COLOMBO: President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has declared a state of emergency in Sri Lanka, granting security officials broad authority to arrest and detain individuals immediately.

After hundreds of demonstrators gathered in the capital and attempted to storm the President's residence to protest the government's "poor handling of economic policies, which has produced chaos in the country," Rajapaksa published the "Extraordinary Gazette" announcing a state of emergency.

The President stated that he believes there is a "public emergency" in Sri Lanka, necessitating the use of harsh legislation.

"The Gazette has been issued in light of the current circumstances in the country and in the interests of public security, public order, and the provision of critical supplies and services to the population," according to a statement.

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