Protestors Say Sri Lanka's , Extended State of Emergency , Meant to Stifle Dissent.<br />Al Jazeera reports that Sri Lanka's parliament <br />has extended a state of emergency as the <br />government cracks down on demonstrators.<br />Al Jazeera reports that Sri Lanka's parliament <br />has extended a state of emergency as the <br />government cracks down on demonstrators.<br />On July 27, the parliament passed the emergency ordinance which allows troops to arrest <br />and detain suspects for long periods.<br />On July 27, the parliament passed the emergency ordinance which allows troops to arrest <br />and detain suspects for long periods.<br />Last week, acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe <br />declared a state of emergency after the ousting <br />of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.<br />Last week, acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe <br />declared a state of emergency after the ousting <br />of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.<br />Rajapaksa was forced to flee Sri Lanka <br />after thousands of protestors <br />stormed the presidential palace.<br />Rajapaksa later resigned from <br />his office while in Singapore. .<br />Those in opposition to Sri Lanka's ruling party have called the extension of the nation's state of emergency an attempt by the government to stifle dissent.<br />Al Jazera reports that Sri Lanka's population of 22 million has been enduring months of power grid failures, <br />record inflation and shortages of food and fuel.<br />The Sri Lankan government is bankrupt <br />and has suspended payments <br />on $51 billion in foreign loans. .<br />According to Al Jazeera, <br />the government is preparing a plan <br />to restructure the nation's debt.<br />The plan is reportedly one condition Sri Lanka <br />must meet in order to secure a bailout <br />from the International Monetary Fund.<br />The plan is reportedly one condition Sri Lanka <br />must meet in order to secure a bailout <br />from the International Monetary Fund
