'Jana Balaya' Protest Forces Colombo City To Shutdown: Most Shops And Offices Closed After Lunch Hours

September 05, 2018

The Joint Opposition protest which is currently underway in Colombo has forced the city to a shutdown. 

Many shops and offices in the central part of Colombo were closed after lunch hours today due to the Joint Opposition's protest. 

Speaking to Asian Mirror, a source close to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa said the majority of protesters had already entered into the Colombo city limits. 

No major incident has reported so far although the Police and the security forces have been kept on high-alert.

Our reporters said the protesters are coming from three main routes at the moment- from Town Hall, Pettah and D.R. Wijewardena Mawatha. 

Their central meeting point will be the Lake House roundabout - located in front of the state newspaper company. 

Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa, the main organizer of the campaign, is leading protesters marching from the Bo Gaha junction, Pettah.

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa is expected  to join the protesters shortly, sources close to him told Asian Mirror. 

Water connons have been placed near Temple Trees to disperse protesters if they march towards the official residence of the Prime Minister. 

The Police said stern measures would be taken under the Police Ordinance if the protesters attempted to disrupt peace and harmony in the city.