The Convenor of the Inter-University Students’ Federation (IUSF) Madushan Chandradith  and at least seven others were arrested  during a protest held in front of the Ministry of Health in Colombo today (16) by the Allied Health Science Graduates’ Union.

Allied health services graduates have been protesting against the recruitment process for state services, particularly the introduction of examinations instead of merit-based recruitment system.

The Government Physiotherapy Officers' Association (GPOA) and other groups have strongly condemned the police actions and have demanded that the government prioritize state university graduates and implement a merit-based recruitment system, as recommended by the University Grants Commission (UGC). 

During today’s protests there were several attempts by the police to arrest students, but students had managed to hold on to each other and prevent them being taken away.

The protest took place despite an order from the  Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court against any group of protesters conducting protests in a manner that it disrupt hospital activities.