GGG Raid: Protestor defied repeated calls to vacate - Police

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka Police in a clarification this evening on the raid on the GotaGoGama protest site in Galle Face said that attempts made by authorities to remove the protestors who were occupying the President's Office on multiple occasions were futile.

Sri Lanka Police said despite making repeated calls for the protestors to vacate the premises peacefully, the protestors refused to comply and behaved impulsively.

The statement said that after considering all other avenues and in the absence of an alternative method to remove the protestors, a decision was taken to remove them from the President's Office in such a manner.

Pointing out that the police officers are authorized under the general law to enter, search and make arrests, Sri Lanka Police said the same power is vested with the Army under the Emergency Regulations.