Demanding to release Mudalige and Siridhamma Thera Police bewildered as combined IUSF processions march to Welikada Prison

 Pic by Waruna Wanniarachchi        

• At least seven student activists were arrested and several wounded

By Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana

The police seemed bewildered as over thousand Inter-University Student Federation (IUSF) activists came in several processions combined and marched up to the Welikada Prison yesterday afternoon, demanding the release of two student leaders Wasantha Mudalige and Galwewa Siridhamma Thera.

Police set up a heavy contingent at the entrance of the Bauddhaloka Mawatha in Thunmulla Junction when a group of IUSF activists tried to reach the United Nations office in Colombo around 1.30 pm yesterday.
The police and police riot squads armed with batons chased after the activists that withdrew towards Bambalapitiya Junction on the Duplication Road and took an unexpected turn towards Kollupitiya.

They then entered the Inner Flower Road and proceeded towards Pittala Junction through the Flower Road and entered into the Green Path having the police on its tail. The group of activists led by former IUSF Convener Duminda Nagamuwa addressed the public, and one of the students was arrested by the police at the scene.
They then proceeded towards the Buddha statue in the Viharamahadevi Park in front of the Town Hall and gathered into a procession and marched towards  the Eye Hospital, where they were joined by another IUSF procession that was advancing along Ward Place.

A simultaneous protest held outside the Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) head office in Narahenpita began around 1.45 pm yesterday was the one which proceeded to Town Hall from Ward Place.
The combined procession then marched towards Senanayake Junction on Horton Place, which was attacked by police water cannons. The re-gathered procession then marched towards Borella Junction and up to the Welikada Remand Prison, where the two student leaders are being held presently.

The protesters addressed the public outside the Welikada Prison and they were shortly confronted by another heavy contingent of police, STF and riot squad personnel armed with tear gas and several water cannon trucks.
The police force then started to chase after the retreating protesters up to the Dematagoda Railway Station, where most of the activists were seen boarding the arriving trains in the evening rush hour.

At least seven student activists were arrested and several others were injured whilst running and falling on the road.