Crisis-hit Sri Lanka lifts curfew defied by thousands of people overnight, ahead of a mass rally planned for later in the day demanding President Rajapaksa's resignation
Police withdrew the stay-home order issued the previous evening after opposition parties, rights activists and the bar association threatened to sue the police chief.
Police withdrew the stay-home order issued the previous evening after opposition parties, rights activists and the bar association threatened to sue the police chief. The country has nearly exhausted already scarce supplies of petrol, but protesters backed by main opposition parties, had hired private buses to travel to the capital.
Authorities have deployed nearly 20,000 troops and police officers for a security operation to protect the president.The United Nations urged both authorities and protesters to ensure that Saturday's demonstrations were peaceful.