COLOMBO, May 6 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's Speaker of Parliament on Friday suspended parliamentary sessions till May 17 as protesters gathered outside the building calling on lawmakers to find a solution to the ongoing economic crisis.
Police tried to disperse the crowds using tear gas and water cannons.
The speaker then adjourned sessions and called for an immediate report on the attacks against the protesters.
Security was heightened in the area and some lawmakers told Xinhua that they were unable to immediately leave the parliament premises due to the tense situation outside.
Sri Lanka has been plunged into weeks of political instability and economic crisis stemming from a foreign exchange shortage which has led to a shortage in essential supplies such as fuel, food and medicines. ■