By Yohan Perera   

The carpenters in Moratuwa yesterday staged a protest along the Kurusa Handiya urging the authorities concerned to provide them with some incentives so that they could carry out their livelihoods without any issue.   

Popular film personality Jagath Manuwarna who was among the protesters who staged a picketing campaign at Nelum Pokuna junction last evening said there are some who are trying to implement their agendas during the mass protests  “Certain persons who claim to be alternative rulers are  trying to gate crash and make the protests of the common people their own protests. We ask the people not get deceived by them and to chase them away,” Manuwarna said. 

Another lady who was among the protesters said they participated at the protest voluntarily and do not belong to any political party. “We are not extremists,” she said. 

The social media group staged a protest in front of the Viharamahadevi Park and then walked towards the filling station in front of Nelum Pokuna and gathered around the roundabout. They shouted ‘Gota go home,’ and Pissek (A lunatic).  Protests were reported from several places in the country yesterday where people carrying placards blocked the Galle Road.

A group of fishermen staged a protest near the Fisheries Harbour in Galle, while carpenters staged a protest in Moratuwa. Two protests took place in Beruwala late last evening demanding solutions for gas and fuel shortages. Traffic was restricted to one lane as a result. 

Traffic was blocked at Albert Crescent as well. 

Caption 
Social media group members staging a protest at Albert Crescent. Pic by Nimalsiri Edirsinghe.