Police probe violent clashes between students and police

The police on Wednesday launched an investigation into the violent clashes which erupted between local university students and the police on Tuesday resulting in several people being injured.

Police Spokesperson, ASP Ruwan Gunesekara said that investigations will be carried out by a police team who are in charge of the area where the clashes erupted.

Hundreds of university students protested on the streets of the capital Colombo on Tuesday urging the new government to respond to several demands to ensure students’ rights.

Riot police were called in when the students attempted to forcefully proceed towards Temple Trees, the official premises used by the President and Prime Minister for meetings, disrupting traffic in the heart of Colombo.

Police fired tear gas and water cannons at the protesting students in an attempt to prevent them from approaching Temple Trees resulting in violent clashes erupting between the students and the police.

Director of the National Hospital, Dr. Anil Jasingha said that ten students were admitted to the Colombo National Hospital due to the violent clashes.

Seven police officers had also been injured following the pelting of stones by the university students and according to the police, one injured police officer was currently receiving treatment at the National Hospital while the remaining officers were receiving treatment at the Police Hospital in Colombo. -- (Xinhua)-–