One dead, scores injured in Sri Lanka protests 

Colombo: A 26-year-old man has been killed while 84 others sustained injuries after protest shook the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo on Wednesday, hospital authorities have said. 

According to details, the man died from breathing problems after already intense protests turned ugly after police fired tear gas at people.  

Police had fired tear gas at protesters who try to separate the gates of the prime minister's office in Colombo, before at last making their way in. 

Following the situation, a curfew has also been imposed for the Colombo Administrate District, said the Government Information Department.  

A military spokesperson told the BBC said that a soldier and police officer were amongst the injured, and alleged that an assault rifle with ammunition had been stolen by a protester and had not yet been recovered.

The protests come as Sri Lanka has been suffering from its worst economic crisis in decades.

Many blame the Rajapaksa administration for the crisis and see Mr Wickremesinghe, who became prime minister in May, as part of the problem. 

In a press statement on Wednesday, Mr Wickremesinghe's team said he had asked the speaker of parliament to nominate a new prime minister "who is acceptable to both the government and opposition".

Earlier on Monday, the main opposition leader Sajith Premadasa told the BBC he would be tilting for the presidency. But he - like Mr Wickremesinghe - lacks public support. There is also deep public suspicion of politicians in general.

Politicians from other parties have been talking about forming a new unity government but there is no sign they are near agreement yet. It's also not clear if the public will accept what they come up with.