As Sri Lanka crisis deepens, UN chief calls for addressing root causes of conflict

As Sri Lanka crisis deepened, UN Chief Antonio Guterres on Thursday said it is important to address root causes of the conflict and protesters' grievances.

Taking to twitter, the UN chief said, "I continue to follow the situation in Sri Lanka very closely. It is important that the root casues of the conflict and protesters' grievances are addressed.

"I urge all party members to embrace the spirit of compromise for a peaceful and democratic transition."

On Wednesday, a sea of protesters gathered outside Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's office. Police fired teargas shells to disperse the demonstrators.

Embattled President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who fled the country, had appointed Wickremesinghe as Sri Lanka's interim President.