5.40 a.m. - The Jana Balaya protest rally organized by the Joint Opposition which assembled masses to Colombo yesterday (05), has now concluded.
The leaders of the Joint Opposition who were at the Lake House Roundabout have decided to conclude the protest following a discussion held last midnight.
Accordingly, the protesters have left Colombo and the roads are cleared for use without interruption, said Ada Derana reporter.
8.17 p.m. - The former President ended his speech by thanking all the Joint Opposition supporters and everyone else who participated in the protest.
8.15 p.m. - Mahinda Rajapaksa accused the government of secretly introducing bills that would divide the nation.
He also claimed that democracy has disappeared from the country today and that the government is continuing to delay elections in fear of defeat.
8.13 p.m. - The former President urged the public to join hands with the Joint Opposition in order to topple the incumbent government.
8.11 p.m. - Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa is currently addressing the protesters gathered at Lake House Roundabout for the Joint Opposition protest.
7.56 p.m. - Joint Opposition supporters who are gathered at Lake House Roundabout commenced a Satyagraha, a short while ago.
7.26 p.m. - The protesters who are presently gathered at Lotus Roundabout and Lake House Roundabout say that they are hoping to stay until tomorrow morning, Ada Derana reporter said.
It is also reported that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa is scheduled to address the rally in a short while.
Meanwhile the Joint Opposition says that a Satyagraha coinciding with the public rally will commence tonight.
5.30 p.m. - Joint Opposition supporters participating in the protest march have now started to gather at Lake House Roundabout, where the main rally will be held.
The protesters are seated are seated on the ground while shouting slogans awaiting the arrival of JO leadership.
4.31 p.m. - Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa joins the Joint Opposition rally at Pettah.
4.06 p.m. - Former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa joined the protest march from near the Bodhi Tree in Pettah.
3.34 p.m. - Severe traffic congestion reported in several parts of Colombo including the road from Technical Junction, Maradana towards Pettah and Darley Road from Ibbanwala Junction.
The massive protest campaign organised by the Joint Opposition against the government commenced from various points with large numbers of supporters marching towards Colombo.
The main protest rally of the movement which titled ‘Jana Balaya Colambata’ is scheduled to be held at Lake House Roundabout.
Ada Derana reporter said that a large number of protesters commenced their march from Pettah resulting in severe traffic congestion from Technical Junction onwards.
Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa are expected to join the protest march from near the Bodhi Tree in Pettah.
Meanwhile representatives of the Joint Opposition say that hundreds of buses and converging on Colombo carrying supporters from outstation areas.
Special security arraignments have been made in certain areas including Temple Trees and near the Special High Court as precautionary measures.
Police said that heavy vehicles will not be allowed to enter Galle Road from Kollupitiya and Ceramic junctions due to the protest.
