Police prevent anti- Govt protest at Technical junction

An anti-government protest organized by many political parties, trade unions activists and university students was prevented from reaching Colombo Fort by the police which deployed hundreds of personnel including riot police at a police barrier in Technical junction. 

At least 3000 protesters gathered in the capital city after political parties - Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), Tamil National Alliance (TNA), 43 Brigade, Frontline Socialist Party, Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, Anura Priyadarshana, Chandima Weerakkody extended their support for the protest along with unions such as the Ceylon Teachers Union led by Joseph Stalin, Bank of Ceylon employees Union, Young Lawyers and Young Journalists Associations, Ceylon Estate Staffs Union and over 150 associations and independent unions. 

Leader of Opposistion Sajith Premadasa, Chief Whip of Opposition Lakshman Kiriella, SLFP General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekara were among the attendees in the protest. 

The crowd gathered near Elphinston theatre, Maradana at 2.00 pm today and marched towards the Colombo Fort.  Among the demands are to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act, the release of Inter-University Students Federation Convenor Wasantha Mudalige and other student leaders. 

A police warning of not to proceed further from police barrier setupped at Technical junction, protesters were seen slowly dispersing from the protest site as hundreds of police personnel from across the police stations were brought to Colombo for the additional security purposes in view of the protest. 

Water cannon bowsers, riot police team and STF personnel were standby near the police barrier.  (Pixs by M.A. Pushpakumara) 

More pixs from Eshan Fernando