Protesters claimed security forces brutality assaulted them

• The security forces and the police had reportedly informed the  protesters to leave the entrance

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya   

At least nine persons had been arrested and several others including journalists were injured during the tense situation that prevailed early last morning at Galle Face protest site, when security forces removed the protesters near Presidential Secretariat, police said.   

An operation by the police, with the help of the three armed forces and the STF launched to evacuate the protesters who were staying in the Presidential Secretariat office, its main entrance and around the office in the Colombo Fort.   

A tense situation prevailed with protesters at the Galle Face protest site, as Police and troops moved in and tried to remove them from the area.   
The security forces and the police had reportedly informed the protesters to leave the entrance without clashing with the security forces, and that otherwise they will be arrested under emergency law.   
This operation had been carried out by closing all the roads leading to Galle Face Green so that no one could enter the protest site, protesters claimed.   

The security forces have taken steps to remove the protesters and stalls blocking the entrance to the presidential secretariat.   

However, the protesters claimed the security forces had assaulted them including several journalists who were covering the incident.   
More than 10 persons had been admitted to the hospital while several others sustained minor injuries during the incident.   

Hours after the heated situation, security forces have taken over the area including the entrance in front of the Presidential Secretariat.   

Police said the arrested suspects aged between 26 and 58, are residents of Kelaniya, Embilipitiya, Jaela, Ratnapura, Sevanagala, Wellampitiya, Pitigala, Wadduwa and Nugegoda.   
Police said the arrested would be produced in Court.   

Meanwhile, the Crime Scene Investigation Officers and fingerprint analysts called at the President’s Secretariat to obtain scientific evidence yesterday.   

Police said the investigations are being conducted under the supervision of the Colombo (Central) Senior Superintendent of Police.