21 arrested for blocking gates to President's Office; Protest delayed Finance Secretary from meeting IMF

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka Police arrested 21 people for protesting near the President's Office in Colombo on Monday (20) morning.

One monk, four women, and 16 men were arrested by Sri Lanka Police.

A statement from Sri Lanka Police said that a group of protestors obstructed the two gates leading to the President's Office from Lotus Road on Sunday (19) night, and then obstructed the two gates leading to the Finance Ministry, and the Treasury as well.

It added that the protestors set up tents at these gates, and this situation prevented public employees reporting for essential services at the respective offices from entering or exiting the premises.

Sri Lanka Police said the protest also inconvenienced the general public as well.

Sri Lanka Police added that the protest also caused a delay of half an hour for the Finance Secretary to attend the meeting with the International Monetary Fund.

Therefore, Sri Lanka Police and the Special Task Force decided to detain the protestors.

The suspects will be produced to court on Monday (20) for legal action, said Sri Lanka Police.