Suspect arrested with 50 tear gas canisters stolen from police during protest

 By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya

 A 31-year-old man had been arrested with 50 tear gas canisters, which were stolen from police during a protest at Polduwa Junction near Parliament on Wednesday (13).

 The Welikada Police has initiated an investigation after a group of protesters attacked a three-wheeler belonging to the police that was carrying tear gas canisters to the Polduwa Junction protest site on July 13 where police and the army were trying to disperse protesters who tried to advance towards parliament.

 Police said a group of protesters attacked several policemen who were travelling in the three-wheeler and stole tear gas canisters.

 Accordingly, the police on Sunday arrested a suspect at Obeysekarapura Mawatha and recovered 50 tear-gas canisters from his residence in Borella following interrogation.

 The suspect was a mason by profession and a resident of Polonnaruwa.