Police block NPP protest march

Police used tear gas and water cannons and  blocked a major  protest by the National Peoples Movement (NPP) led by the JVP at Union Place Colombo today. 

JVP leader  Anura Kumara Dissanayake and other senior members  launched the  protest march from near  the Nelum Pokuna area.

However, as they reached the area close to the Salaka building they were blocked.  

The JVP members had  however not left the area immeidately and were demanding that they be allowed to continue with the protest march.  The JVP leader, the General Secretary Tilvin Silva and their lawyers argued for moret than half an hour with the police before tear gas was used.

The JVP members addressed a meeting in the Town Hall area.

Meanwhile about 20 persons who took part in the protest march were injured when the police used tear gas.

Earlier in the day the Fort Magistrate’s Court issued an order preventing any protest marches around the Kollupitiya and Colombo Fort areas.

The order was issued on 26  persons including Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

The order was issued to prevent them marching towards Galle Face, the Presidential Secretariat, the President’s House, the Finance Ministry premises etc.

The  order will be effective funtil 08:00 p.m. today.