Pic by Pradeep dilrukshana

• Over 25 protesters arrested by police
• Around 1, 000 police personnel were present

By Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana   

An Inter University Student Federation (IUSF) protest march progressing towards the Town Hall demanding the release of three PTA detainees was blocked and dispersed with tear gas and water cannon attack on Deans Road, Maradana yesterday.   

 About 500 IUSF students armed with placards and banners demanding the immediate release of three of their members including its Convener Wasantha Mudalige, who are being detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) started a protest march near the Elphinstone Theatre in Maradana.   

They were then proceeding towards the Technical Junction where the police and police riot squads in numbers blocked its way and announced to quit the procession and return. The protesters which withdrew from the Technical Junction then changed their route and started proceeding towards Town Hall through ‘Mariyakade’ and Deans Road.   

Close to about 1, 000 police personnel including the Special Task Force (STF) and the Riot Control Units backed by several water cannon trucks attacked the protesters who sat down on the tarmac road near the Ministry of Health with rounds of tear gas being fired into the air.   

The fleeing students were chased after by the advancing police forces up to the Technical Junction where the group then scattered. Also, over 25 protesters were arrested by the police, the police said.  

The students were demanding to release their three members Wasantha Mudalige, Galwewa Siridhamma Thera and Hashan Gunathilake, who were arrested during its last protest march at Union Place on August 18th.