Colombo

Sri Lanka Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Wednesday declared a state emergency and imposed a curfew in the western province of the country as protests intensified following President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's escape to the Maldives.

A state of emergency was declared as protesters came prepared to face tear gas shelling by security forces deployed outside Wickremesinghe's residence.

Air patrolling also began around the PM's residence.

Military personnel used tear gas shells to disperse protestors who scaled the wall to enter the Sri Lankan PM's residence in Colombo.

Sri Lankan authorities today confirmed that Gotabaya Rajapaksa had flown to the Maldives with his wife and two bodyguards after full approval of the country's Defence Ministry.

The 73-year-old Rajapaksa went into hiding after crowds of protestors stormed his residence on July 9.

Later he announced he will resign on July 13.

ALSO READ: Gotabaya Rajapaksa flees to Maldives

The island nation is reeling under the worst economic crisis since independence. Having defaulted in loan repayments, it is facing a severe shortage of fuel and other essential items.