Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has declared a state of emergency in his role as the acting president.
"The prime minister as acting president has declared a state of emergency (countrywide) and imposed a curfew in the western province," Wickremesinghe's media secretary, Dinouk Colombage, told Reuters.
The curfew comes into effect immediately.
It comes after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled to the Maldives on Wednesday, leading to more protests amid an economic crisis.

Israeli strikes kill 26 in Gaza, health officials say
US government starts likely brief shutdown as House fails to approve deal
Thousands demonstrate in Minnesota and across US to protest ICE
France tightens infant milk rules after recalls
Modi ally proposes social media ban for India's teens as global debate grows
Indonesia landslide death toll rises to 49, agency says
Syrian government, Kurdish-led SDF agree integration deal
Trump warns Britain on China ties as Starmer hails progress in Beijing
