Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister, Mahinda Rajapaksa, resigned on Monday (May 9) following weeks of protests against his government.

The country has been rocked by civil unrest since March, with demonstrations at times turning violent as anger builds over the government’s apparent mishandling of Sri Lanka’s worst economic crisis since declaring independence from Britain in 1948.

A nationwide curfew was imposed after clashes broke out between supporters of the ruling party and anti-government demonstrators in the capital city, Colombo, the police said Monday. The restrictions were announced shortly before Rajapaksa announced his resignation.

Footage shot on May 8 shows protesters blocking the streets demanding gas from officials.

Fuel and gas shortages have triggered protests and roadblocks in several protests of the city of Colombo and other parts of the country since Saturday night, the protestors are holding up the traffic for several hours demanding gas, fuel, kerosene, and other essentials. Traffic along Colombo streets was hampered due to the protest launched by area residents demanding fuel and gas since Saturday night. Police attempted to calm the situation and clear the protestors, but protesters demanded their supplies and blocked the road from Sunday morning.

People have been waiting in long queues every day to purchase kerosene in many parts of the city. Meanwhile, the release of domestic gas cylinders to the market by Litro Gas has come to a complete standstill.