Agitated by price hikes, shortages of essential items and lengthy power cuts, Sri Lankans without the backing of any political parties, today took to the streets in numbers to express their anger at the present administration’s handling of the economy and the country in general.
Protests have been a regular occurrence in recent days with several political parties and civil society groups also holding demonstrations in Colombo and across Sri Lanka.
A group today decided to hold a demonstration in the vicinity of the private residence of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
However, Police were deployed to the areas to maintain law and order.
The demonstration got out of hand after clashes broke out with protesters and law enforcement officers.
Subsequently, Special Task Force personnel officers were deployed while water cannons were also used to control the protesters who had gathered outside the road leading to President Rajapaksa’s residence.
NewsRadio correspondents confirmed that some protesters were seen lying along the road.
Protesters who gathered in Mirihana also hurled stones and bricks at a Sri Lanka Army bus and set the bus on fire.
The bus was parked, blocking the entrance to the Pengiriwatte Road, which leads to the President’s private residence.
Meanwhile, Police curfew has been imposed with immediate effect within the Colombo North, Colombo South, Colombo Central, Nugegoda, Mount Lavinia and Kelaniya Police Divisions until further notice.
The Police Media Unit informed NewsRadio that the directive has been issued by the Inspector General of Police.