Police arrest 21 protesters for blocking entrances

• Police moved the protesters and the temporary tents at the entrance on the Lotus Road
• Protesters blocked both entrance and exit of the Ministry
• Secretary had to be escorted out of the Ministry to attend the IMF meeting 

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya   

Twenty-one persons including a Buddhist monk were arrested by the Police and the STF for blocking two entrances to the Finance Ministry and the Presidential Secretariat yesterday.   

The Police said the protesters at the Galle Face Green had blocked two entrances from the Lotus Road to the Finance Ministry and Presidential Secretariat since Sunday night in addition to the main entrance of the Presidential Secretariat where the ‘GotaGoGama’ protest site is located.   

Police said the protesters continued to engage in protests yesterday morning blocking both entrances using temporary tents and said that officials who report for essential services and duties at the ministry and secretariat and public were affected due to the protest.   

Police said due to the protest, the meeting which was to be held this morning with the officials of the IMF by the Treasury Secretary was also interrupted. 

 
It was reported that the secretary to the Finance Ministry had to be escorted out of the Ministry to attend the IMF meeting which took place at the Prime Minister’s office as protesters have blocked both entrance and exit of the Ministry.   

The police moved the protesters and the temporary tents at the entrance on the Lotus Road.   
Police said four women protesters were also among the arrested.   
They were to be produced before the Fort Magistrate yesterday.     

• Four women protesters were also among the arrested