Police in Sri Lanka’s capital lifted a curfew on Friday after protests in which dozens of people were arrested and injured near the home of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa over his handling of an economic crisis.
Hundreds of protesters gathered near Rajapaksa’s residence in a Colombo suburb late on Thursday before police moved in to disperse them with tear gas and water cannons.
“We respect the people’s right to protest and that will be protected but they cannot harm any public property,” said police spokesman Ajith Rohana.
“The 53 people arrested will be presented to court.”