Sri Lanka economic crisis: Protest enters 50th day, demand for President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's resignation intensifies

Sri Lanka's economic crisis has created political unrest with a protest occupying the entrance to the president's office demanding his resignation continuing for the past 49 days.

Colombo: Sri Lankan police on Saturday fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse anti-government protestors here as the ongoing agitation demanding the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa over the worst economic crisis intensified as it entered its 50th day. Sri Lanka is near bankruptcy and has severe shortages of essentials from food, fuel, medicines and cooking gas to toilet paper and matchsticks. For months, people have been forced to stay in long lines to buy the limited stocks.

Sri Lanka's economic crisis has created political unrest with a protest occupying the entrance to the president's office demanding his resignation continuing for the past 49 days. The crisis has already forced prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, the elder brother of the president, to resign on May 9.

There has been an intense call for President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to also resign however, he has refused to do so.

Saturday marks the 50th day of the "Go Rajapaksa" protest which has also seen the death of a parliamentarian. The Sri Lankan police have on occasions used force to control the unrest.

"The continuous protest demanding the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has reached its 50th day today. The day is to be marked with protest marches with wider participation," the organisers said.