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UPDATE: Police fire tear gas, water cannon at protesters; 20 arrested
Mar 16, 201407:45 AM
Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse an unruly crowd protesting by blocking the High Level Road. Around 20 persons involved in the protest have been arrested, Police Spokesman SSP Ajith Rohana said.
He stated that a tense situation was reported after police attempted to disperse a crowd protesting against a factory in Thunnane, Hanwella this morning.
Earlier it was reported that 15 persons had been arrested for causing a disturbance and provoking the masses in the area.
However, severe traffic congestion was reported in the Hanwella area on the Colombo-Avissawella High Level Road due to the protest.
Motorists were advised to avoid High Level Road from Pahathgama towards Colombo due to the public protest and to use Low Level Road instead.
Motorists proceeding towards Ratnapura and Avissawella from Colombo are requested to use Low Level Road and Ingiriya Road to avoid traffic block, he said.
