Sri Lanka imposes 'police curfew' ahead of anti-government rally
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Jul 9, 2022 12:15
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Police in Sri Lanka's commercial capital Colombo imposed a curfew on Friday night (8) amidst reports of security forces firing tear gas and using a water cannon on protesters ahead of a much anticipated anti-government rally on Saturday (9)
A police curfew will be imposed in several areas of Western Province including Negombo, Kelaniya, Nugegoda, Mt Lavinia, Colombo North, Colombo Sout, Colombo Central from 9pm Friday(8). The hastily issued curfew, released just an hour before it came into force, started at 9PM local time in Colombo and several surrounding suburbs.
“People living in the areas under curfew should remain at home,” said a Sri Lankan police notice. “Breaking of police curfew will be seen as a disruption of public order and strict legal action will be taken.”
The Bar Association of Sri Lanka lodged its “strong protest” at the imposition of a “purported curfew”, with its head Saliya Pieris stating it is “illegal and a blatant violation of fundamental rights”.
The curfew announced comes as thousands of Sri Lankan troops have reportedly been deployed in Colombo ahead of the July 9th anti-government protest.
