Sri Lanka’s embattled president reimposed a nationwide curfew and swore in a new prime minister Thursday, just days after his brother stepped down from the role amid massive protests over nepotism, corruption and a devastating economic crisis. The move did little to quell public anger, and opposition politicians joined protesters in rejecting the appointment.

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith: “This is seriously going against the wishes of the people. We want to say publicly that the president appointing a person rejected by the people, and not an independent person, and those lawmakers who support it, will be rejected by the people.”

At least nine people have been killed since supporters of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa attacked protesters on Monday. More than 300 others have been injured.