19 August 2022 09:18 am Views - 204
Wasantha Mudalige and six others arrested
By Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana
The Inter-University Student Federation (IUSF) took to the streets in a protest march yesterday almost a week after the main Galle Face Aragalaya was withdrawn, was dispersed by police riot squads with water cannons and tear gas at Union Place, where six activists including its Convener Wasantha Mudalige were arrested. About a thousand student protesters of the IUSF gathered at the Lipton Circus yesterday afternoon to show their displeasure over the ‘Deal Ranil – Rajapaksa Junta’ and the illegal arrest of Gale Face Aragalaya activists in the past couple of weeks.
The students in numbers who were backed by young Buddhist monks started to march towards Colombo Fort through the Ibbanwala Junction in Town Hall, where they were blocked by contingents of Police and Police Special Task Force personnel as well as the riot squads at union place.
Police announcements were aired through three-wheelers mounted with loudspeakers asking the protesters to stop immediately and return as they have no legal means to conduct such march.
The protesters didn’t pay heed to the police warning, and the latter started attacking the forwarding march with water cannons and a round of tear gas, forcing the students to flee.
About five protesters were taken into custody including popular activist cum actor Jehan Appuhamy, who carried a life-size cross from Katuwapitiya to Galle Face Aragalaya in May.
Police and riot squads in significantly high numbers went after the retreating student masses towards the General Cemetery Borella through Ward Place, whilst other large groups of protesters were seen scattered in Ibbanwala Junction, Town Hall and Deans Road.
Meanwhile, the Convener of IUSF and leading Galle Face Aragalaya activist Wasantha Mudalige had been arrested by police in Gas Works Junction last evening when he was returning from the protest march.
Mudalige who had an arrest warrant against him was seen at the forefront of the IUSF protest march yesterday.