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Sri Lankans Hold Massive Protest Rally, Demand Early Elections


A massive rally of hundreds of thousands of people led by the main opposition United National Party has reached the capital, Colombo, to protest high prices and demand early elections.

The march began 10 days ago in Sri Lanka's southernmost tip, some 150 kilometers south of Colombo.

Thousands of heavily armed policemen, anti-riot officers and soldiers were deployed in the city Tuesday to prevent violence, while patrols were boosted around key sites, including the president's residence.

Organizers say it will be the biggest rally in Colombo's history.

The opposition party leader, former prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, is expected to speak at the rally. His party accuses the government of failing to bring down the cost of living and it wants President Chandrika Kumaratunga to resign.
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