Sri Lanka imposes curfew amid food, fuel and power shortage protests

A 36-hour curfew has been announced in Sri Lanka as a state of emergency is enforced amid violent protests against food and fuel shortages.

The move is aimed at stopping new protests - two days after crowds were accused of setting vehicles ablaze near the president's private residence.

The military has since been deployed and now has the power to arrest suspects without warrants.

Sri Lanka is in the midst of a major economic crisis.

It is caused in part by a lack of foreign currency, which is used to pay for fuel imports. read more