?COLOMBO, Sept. 5 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of police and special forces were deployed across Sri Lanka's capital Colombo on Wednesday as an opposition protest, headed by former President Mahinda Rajapakse got underway.

Local police said troops were deployed outside several key places such as the Prime Minister's Office, the President's official residence, Ministries and the Parliament complex in order to ensure that law and order was maintained.

A police spokesperson told Xinhua that while protesters had planned to remain overnight, security would remain in place till such time the protest was called off.

The protest titled "People's Power to Colombo" was organised by Rajapakse's eldest son and parliamentarian, Namal Rajapakse and legislators from the Joint Opposition party against the rising cost of living, the government's economic policies and calling for a snap parliamentary poll.

Joint Opposition legislators on late Wednesday said that thousands had attended the rally but an exact figure could not be confirmed.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said in a statement that while the protesters had been granted the freedom to hold the protest, the government would not allow it to hinder the public.

Many schools and business establishments closed early on Wednesday.