Sri Lanka's worst economic crisis was already taking a heavy toll with agriculture and livelihoods being severely affected.
Police meanwhile have arrested two lawmakers from the Rajapaksas' Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna in connection with last week's violence when anti-government protests turned deadly.
There have been flare-ups of violence around the country despite stringent security measures, as protesters continue shouting slogans against the government while defying a curfew.
Five people were killed and nearly 200 wounded as prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resignation which did little to calm public anger.
An aide to the prime minister confirmed that Mahinda Rajapaksa has submitted a letter of resignation to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, as at least five people died and nearly 200 were injured in a day of violence.
Violence erupts among protesters and trade unions call for protests throughout this week over the worst economic crisis in the country's history.
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa says he is deeply distressed by violence in the town of Rambukkana and hopes for a fair investigation after the first death during weeks of demonstrations.
The government hopes the assistance programme will help top up its reserves and attract bridge financing to pay for essential imports of basic goods amid a devastating financial crisis.
Hundreds of protesters chanted anti-government slogans and called on the debt-ridden nation’s President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to resign, as anxiety and anger over shortages simmered.
Gotabaya Rajapaksa has revoked orders giving him sweeping authority to act in the interests of public order, including suspending any laws, authorising detentions and seizing property.
Sri Lankan forces moved to stop a protest by opposition lawmakers and supporters attempting to march to the capital's Independence Square from the home of opposition leader Sajith Premadasa.
The lockdown will go into effect at dusk on Saturday and be lifted on Monday morning — a period that covers planned mass anti-government protests against worsening shortages of fuel, food and medicines.
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