Police fire tear gas and water cannons to disperse HND students

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Police took steps today (July 25) to disperse an unruly crowd of protesting Higher National Diploma (HND) students in Colombo. The Inter HND Students Federation commenced a protest march from Campbell Park in Punchi Borella demanding among other things, that the Mahapola scholarship be increased from Rs. 1,500 to Rs. 5,000 and that steps be taken to address the shortage of lecturers. The procession made its way through Maradana and Pettah before reaching the Presidential Secretariat, it was during this time that the Police took steps to close the Lotus Road. When the demonstrators attempted to breach the barricades, police took steps to disperse the crowd and several students were injured in the ensuing chaos. We do not question the right of students to protest to safeguard their right to education. However, we must question whether such problems can be resolved by breaking into the office of the Head of State. Are students able to enter high security zones and act in a manner that threatens the security in the area? We must also not forget that there exists a group on whose direction such actions are carried out, while they sit back and watch. The end result of this is that when the law is enforced, the victims will be a handful of innocent parents and students. Can a civilized society approve of such unruly behavior in an urban center which seriously hampers the day to day life of the inhabitants of the city?

For the attention of the people.