VIDEO: Police fire tear gas at Weliweriya protest

Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters at Weliweriya town who were blocking the road over a drinking water issue, Ada Derana Reporter said.

Residents of Weliweriya, Rathupaswala and surrounding villages had engaged in a protest today claiming that the chemicals waste of a factory in the area has polluted their drinking water.

Police spokesman Buddhika Siriwardena said that the protest which had been continuing for the past several hours at Belummahara Junction on the Colombo-Kandy road had caused severe traffic congestion and inconvenience to the public. 

Army personnel were later called in to assist the police in dispersing the protestors, which had resulted in a tense situation as they refused abandon the agitation. 

The police spokesman said the protestors were chased away with the help of army personnel as they had refused to disperse peacefully. 

Meanwhile it has been reported that several residents of the area are currently holding talks with representatives of Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa regarding the issue.