Sri Lanka Prez Rajapaksa Flees as Protesters Surround His Home: Report

An indefinite curfew was imposed in Sri Lanka a day ahead of an anti-government rally. 

Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled from his residence in Colombo as protesters surrounded his house on Saturday, 9 July, news agency AFP reported, citing a defence source.

An indefinite curfew was imposed in Sri Lanka a day ahead of an anti-government rally underway on Saturday, demanding the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa amid the worsening economic crisis in the country.

The military has also been put on high alert. Police chief Chandana Wickramaratne said that the capital and its surrounding areas were put under a curfew from 9 pm on Friday.

This comes as thousands of anti-government protesters made their way into Colombo on Friday ahead of the rally to oust the embattled president from power.

On Friday, the police had fired tear gas and water cannons against student protesters in Colombo before imposing the curfew.

The anti-government protest is expected to see participation from all kinds of people, including religious leaders, political parties, teachers, farmers, medical practitioners, fishermen, and social activists, as per PTI.