Colombo | Sri Lankan protesters who occupied official buildings to push their demands for a new government said on Thursday they would voluntarily vacate the offices, while parliament seeks a solution to the deepening political and economic crisis.

Protest leader Devinda Kodagode said they would start to leave after the prime minister declared a state of emergency and ordered the military to restore order. The parliament’s speaker also announced he is seeking legal options to resolve the political chaos, after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa left the country without submitting a resignation letter.

AP