An overnight curfew imposed in several parts of Colombo, after protests outside Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s residence over the worsening economic crisis turned violent, was lifted today morning at around 5 am.
Police said that 45 people have been arrested for their alleged involvement in yesterday’s protests outside the President’s residence.
“Five policemen were injured while several vehicles were set on fire by the protesters,” officials said, adding that the injured have been admitted to the hospital for treatment.
The curfew was imposed within the Colombo North, South, Colombo Central, Nugegoda, Mount Lavinia and Kelaniya Police Divisions.
Police fired tear gas and water cannon to disperse the protesters who tried to storm the home of the Sri Lankan President in the capital yesterday. Videos shared on social media showed men and women shouting “lunatic, lunatic go home” and demanding that all members of the powerful Rajapaksa family step down.
The office of the Sri Lankan President blamed an unidentified ‘extremist’ group for creating a violent situation during the protests.
Many of the protesters were identified as organised extremists, the statement said. It further added that they have spearheaded the protest calling for an Arab Spring in Sri Lanka.