Tear Gas and Water Cannons On Pettah Protest

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka Police fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse a protest in Pettah, Colombo.

This protest was organized by the People's Struggle Movement (Jana Aragala Wiyaparaya) against the economic burden on the people, and an immediate intervention by the state to prevent the sale of national assets.

Sri Lanka Police said that 22 people were arrested during the protest.

Earlier, the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court rejected a request put forth by the police to prohibit the planned protest and march scheduled to take place at Vihara Mahadevi Park in Colombo.

The request was filed by the Cinnamon Gardens Police against the People’s Struggle Movement of the Frontline Socialist Party.

However, Chief Magistrate Prasanna Alwis ruled against the request, allowing the demonstration to proceed as planned.