33 including FSP’s Duminda Nagamuwa and Lahiru Weerasekara arrested during protest

UPDATE: A total of thirty-three individuals have been arrested during the protest staged by the ‘Jana Aragala Viyaparaya’ in Pettah today, Police Spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa said.

Twenty-nine persons including 02 Buddhist monks and 03 females have been arrested during the protest staged by the ‘Jana Aragala Viyaparaya’ in Pettah today (20), police said. 

It is reported that Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) activist Duminda Nagamuwa and youth activist Lahiru Weerasekara are among those arrested during the protest. 

Meanwhile, at least 05 police officers have been injured during the clashes with protesters, according to police. 

Earlier, police had resorted to using tear gas and water cannons to disperse the protesters in Pettah, Colombo.

The demonstration had been organized by the ‘Jana Aragala Viyaparaya’ (People’s Struggle Movement) based on several issues including the soaring cost of living and certain foreign agreements. 

The protest march had commenced from near the Fort Railway Station and they were heading in the direction of Pettah when riot police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse them, Ada Derana reporter said.