A tense situation erupted when police attempted to control a protest in the Pallemalala area in Hambantota which blocked the Kataragama – Colombo main road.

Police said that they  used minimum force to disperse the protesters.

However, the protesters in response, had allegedly begun hurling stones and rocks at the police officers.

The Police Media Unit noted that the Hambantantota Police HQI and two other police officers suffered injuries. The police also noted that the unruly protesters had vandalized a bus.

The protest was launched on Monday morning by locals in the area demanding for clean drinking water.

As a result of the protest, there was heavy vehicular congestion along the Kataragama – Colombo Main road. However, the police noted that the protesters have now been cleared from the area.