'Rise Up', a citizens initiative demanding democracy and the rule of law, staged a peaceful protest at Independence Square, Colombo, last evening. 

A large number of citizen activists from all walks of life took part in the protest, asserting the citizens of Sri Lanka deserved better from their politicians. 

The protesters condemned the unruly behavior of politicians and demanded integrity from politicians. The described the current political crisis as the "darkest hour" of Asia's oldest democracy.

The organizers of the initiative said they had no affiliations with any political party or did not support any political group. The organizers said they did not send invitations to anyone and any concerned citizen sharing the same ideas could join. 

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga was also seen among the protestors this evening.