Police Curfew in several parts of Colombo
Sri Lanka has imposed a police curfew on multiple police sectors in the Capital City of Colombo until further notice.
These areas are:
COLOMBO CENTRAL DIVISION
Pettah / Keselwatta / Dam Street / Wolfendhal Street / Fort / Slave Island / Maradana / Maligawatta
COLOMBO NORTH DIVISION
Colombo Harbour / Fore shore / Modara / Kotahena / Mattakkuliya / Bloemendhal / Grandpass / Dematagoda / Mihijaya sewana
COLOMBO SOUTH DIVISION
Colpetty / Bambalapitiya / Kirulapone / Wellawatta / Narahenpita / BMICH / Borella / Cinnamon Garden
NUGEGODA DIVISION
Mirihana / Maharagama / Boralesgamuwa / Wellampitiya / Thalangama / Welikada / Nawagamuwa / Mulleriyawa / Homagama / Kottawa / Athurugiriya / Padukka / Hanwella / Gothatuwa / Meepe / Kaduwela / Malabe
MOUNT LAVINIA DIVISION
Mount Lavinia / Piliyandala / Angulana / Dehiwala / Kohuwala / Moratuwa / Kahathuduwa / Moratumulla / Egoda Uyana / Kesbewa
KELANIYA DIVISION
Kelaniya / Kandana / Wattala/ Mahabage / Sapugaskanda / Biyagama / Meegahawatta / Ja – Ela / Ragama / Kiribathgoda / Kadawatha / Enderamulla
Authorities were compelled to impose a curfew after ugly scenes were witnessed on Thursday (31) night during protests against a mismanaged economy and rising cost of living.
Scuffles broke out between protestors and security forces on Thursday (31) night when a peaceful protest proceeded towards the Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s residence on the outskirts of the city, in Mirihana.
Heavy police presence was witnessed in the area at first, and thereafter the Riot Police, Police Special Task Force, Sri Lanka Army, and Sri Lanka Navy personnel were called in to control the situation and prevent the protestors from proceeding towards the President’s house.
It is still unclear if the President was at home at the time of the protest.
As tensions boiled over between the protestors and the security forces, several vehicles were seen on fire and multiple injuries were reported.
The people involved in the protest were from all corners of Colombo, and expressed anger over the government’s handling of the economy.
The country has been plagued by a shortage of reserves that led to a shortage of essentials such as Kerosene, Diesel, Petrol, Gas, and even medicines.
While the protest was taking place the supply of electricity for the entire Mirihana area was shut down, the first time since the power cuts came into effect, as Sri Lanka also struggles to import fuel to keep its power plant running.
Further, internet connectivity in some areas also was disrupted, for reasons unknown.
Another anti-government protest took place in Kelaniya as the road between Kelaniya and Dalugama was obstructed by protestors who burn tires and chanted slogans for the government to resign over their mishandling of the country’s economy.
