The threat level for Colombo has been raised to 4 (High) from 3 (Medium) in light of the worsening economic and security conditions in the city. A countrywide state of emergency has been in effect since 7 May and the government has imposed several intermittent nighttime curfews. Clashes between government supporters and anti-government demonstrators have occurred near the MynaGoGama and GotaGoGama protest sites in central Colombo. Additionally, hundreds of protesters have staged continuous demonstrations at Galle Face Green urban park near the president’s office in the city center since early April. Demonstrators have vowed to continue protests until President Gotabaya Rajapaksa resigns from office; consequently, protests are highly likely to continue in the immediate term.
Acute shortages of fuel and essential goods, including food and medicines, are ongoing. On 16 May newly appointed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe advised residents to avoid queuing for fuel due to a nationwide lack of supply. Wickremesinghe has warned that electricity outages may increase to 15 hours a day from the current peak of 8 hours a day. The overall operating conditions in the city are likely to deteriorate further due to shortages of foreign currency required to purchase essential goods.
