The police curfew imposed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) in several police divisions in Colombo and suburbs will be lifted at 5.00 a.m. today (April 01), according to the Police Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa. 

Accordingly, the police curfew which had been imposed until further notice within Colombo North, Colombo South, Colombo Central, Nugegoda and Mount Lavinia police divisions in the Colombo District and Kelaniya police division in the Gampaha District has now been lifted. 

The curfew had been announced for the abovementioned areas late last night following widespread protests. 

It was declared just hours after police had used tear gas and water cannons to disperse a large group of protesters who gathered near Pengiriwatta Mawatha, which leads to the President’s residence in Mirihana. 

Police had resorted to using tear gas and water cannons on the protesters as the agitation turned violent with stones and other objects being hurled at security personnel and damages to public property. 

At least two fires were also reported later at the in the vicinity with images on social media showing a torched bus amidst the tense situation which had rapidly escalated out of control. 

The protesters, holding placards and shouting slogans, had gathered at the location demanding that the government provide immediate solutions to the fuel shortage, power crisis, gas shortage and the soaring commodity prices in the country. 

Meanwhile another protest had completely blocked the Kandy-Colombo main road at Dalugama in Kelaniya last night.

Protesters had reportedly set fire to logs on the middle of the road, obstructing traffic movement along the road.