Sri Lankan police fired tear gas at protesters on Saturday in the commercial capital Colombo to control thousands gathered for one of the largest anti-government marches in the crisis-hit country this year.

A Sri Lankan Police officer joined the protesters in the Maharagama area today (July 09).

Sri Lanka police have used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the protesters urging President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the incumbent government to step down at Chatham Street and nearby areas in Colombo today (July 09).

Thousands of protesters demanding the resignation of Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa are set to converge on his official residence Saturday as the bankrupt nation struggles to buy daily essentials, inflation soars, and popular anger at the embattled leader mounts.

Train services in Sri Lanka will resume after the police curfew is lifted at 8.00 AM today (09 July), the General Manager of Sri Lanka Railways says.

Sri Lanka’s Secretary of Defence Kamal Gunaratne says the Police and the security forces are vested with powers to use necessary force against those endangering or harming the public by engaging in anti-social activity that also causes damage to property.

The Police headquarters announces that the curfew imposed on certain Police Divisions in the Western Province has been lifted from 08:00 AM today (July 09).

Police curfew has been imposed in seven Police Divisions in Sri Lanka with effect from 9:00 PM today (July 08) until further notice.

Sri Lanka Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the protest march staged by the students of the Inter University Students Federation (IUSF) at the entrance to Bank of Ceylon Mawatha, Colombo.

The U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung says that violence is not an answer to the crisis.

Ahead of what is expected to be a large demonstration in Colombo on Saturday, 9 July, the UN Human Rights Chief urged Sri Lankan authorities to show restraint in the policing of assemblies and ensure every necessary effort to prevent violence.

All the private pharmacies across the country will be closed tomorrow (July 09), All-Island Private Pharmacy Owners’ Association (ACPPOA) said.

Train ticket fares in Sri Lanka will be increased from the 12th of July (Tuesday), Sri Lanka Railways announced today (July 08).

The Lanka IOC has decided to suspend the delivery fuel to filling stations today (July 08) and tomorrow (July 09).

The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court dismisses a request by the Cinnamon Gardens Police to prevent a protest march organised by the Inter University Students Federation.