Sri Lanka on alert for an anti-government rally, Armed troops deployed in the capital

The Sri Lankan government has deployed thousands of heavily armed troops in the capital ahead of a planned anti-government rally. Protestors are demanding that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa step down.

Soldiers armed with assault rifles were bussed into Colombo to reinforce police. Demonstrators have vowed to storm the President's office on Saturday, reported AFP. A top official said the government hopes that tomorrow's rally will not become violent. "An operation involving nearly 20,000 troops and policemen and women was launched this afternoon".

At least three judges refused to outlaw the protests.

In May, nine people were killed and hundreds were wounded when Rajapaksa loyalists attacked peaceful protesters.

22 million people in the island nation are suffering from an unprecedented financial crisis, runaway inflation, blackouts, scarcity of essential goods, and fuel shortage. People have been camped out of Rajapaksa's Colombo office for months demanding his resignation for economic mismanagement.

The UN urged authorities and people to ensure the demonstrations are peaceful. We urge Sri Lankan authorities to show restraint in the policing of assemblies and ensure every necessary effort to prevent violence," said the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.