Diplomats and rights groups expressed concern Saturday after Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa declared a state of emergency and police used force against peaceful protests demanding his ouster over the nation’s worst economic crisis.

UNICEF says it is concerned with reports of violence during protests involving children in Sri Lanka.

Expressing grave concern over President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s declaration of a state of emergency, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) urged him to revoke the decree while pointing out that stifling public protest is not a solution to the crisis.

Former minister Namal Rajapaksa says that economic decisions cannot be taken by politicians and that the incumbent government and the Finance Ministers had always acted on the advice given by certain officials.

Sri Lanka Police used tear gas to disperse a group of protesters who were at the entrance of the Parliament on the Pelawatta road.

Sri Lanka’s President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has declared a state of emergency with effect from midnight today (May 06), the President Media Division (PMD) said.

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has said he has NO plans to resign & that the President has NOT asked him to step down.

Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) MP Ranjith Siyambalapitiya who was elected as the Deputy Speaker in Parliament once again yesterday (May 05) by replacing himself, has resigned from the post again today (May 06).

Police fired tear gas and water cannons on protestors who were gathered outside the Parliament of Sri Lanka, in the newly established ‘Horu Go Gama’, a short while ago.

Colombo Additional Magistrate Shalini Perera today (May 06) ordered for a request by Sri Lanka Police to remove the obstructions opposite the President’s Office in Galle Face, to be directed to the Chief Magistrate on the 10th of May.

Cooperative Services, Marketing Development and Consumer Protection State Minister Professor Gunapala Rathnasekara said today (May 06) in parliament that he rendered his resignation to the President yesterday (May 05).

The European Union says it will provide €200,000 in humanitarian aid for essential assistance to 80,000 low income families across all 25 districts of Sri Lanka.

An island-wide hartal is being held today (May 06) in Sri Lanka demanding the immediate resignation of the President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Government.

Members of the Inter University Students Federation (IUSF) set up a protest camp called “Horu Go Gama” near Polduwa Junction near Parliament last night (May 05).

Sri Lanka Police fired tear gas into the Inter-University Students Federation protest march close to the Parliament this evening (May 05).

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has limited dispensing fuel volumes for vehicles at filling stations with effect from today (May 05).