Tear gas fired at midnight on Matara protest

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka Police had fired tear gas on Tuesday (19) night to disperse a group of people who were protesting in the Matara Town against the fuel price hike and the shortage of fuel.

Police Spokesperson SSP Attorney-at-Law Nihal Thalduwa told News 1st that 8 people were arrested during the protest.

Sri Lankans have been protesting against the fuel price hike and the shortage of fuel across many cities and towns by obstructing the roads.

Access road to many cities and towns were blocked by protestors who moved vehicles to form barricades to prevent the movement of traffic.

The tear gas attack on Matara was the second incident in 24 hours, after police used tear gas and opened fire to disperse a protest in Rambukkana, in the Sabaragamuwa Province, in Sri Lanka.

Rambukkana, is a town located in the Kegalle District, in the Sabaragamuwa Province in Sri Lanka, and is a short drive away from the world-famous Pinnala Elephant Orphanage.