Update:Police use tear gas and water cannons on SJB protest

Police used water cannons and tear gas on the anti-government protest organised by the main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB)  near the Viharamahadivi Park in Colombo a short while ago. 

SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa and party members made several attempts to  continue with the protest march despite police resistance. However, after several rounds of tear gas and use of water cannons the protest was broght to an end.

"The Ranil - Rajapaksa government has been agitated by the SJB protest campaign. This is only the start and we will continue our protests', Mr Premadasa said.

Five persons including former MP Mujibur Rahman had fallen ill after being exposed to tear gas and was hospitalised.

The protest is titled "Venasak Hadana Wasarak 2024" (A Year of Creating Change 2024). It is being attended by senior SJB politicians, trade union leaders, party activists and supporters. 

The protest is going ahead in the backdrop of several court orders issued on the protest prohibiting SJB protesters from entering several areas of Colombo and inconveniencing the public. 

Earlier in the day, the Colombo Fort Magistrate's Court issued an order preventing the SJB protest march from entering the Presidential Secretariat, President's House, Finance Ministry premises and Galle Face Green today.

Meanwhile, the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court also issued an order preventing Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and several other SJB leaders from holding a protest while inconveniencing the public or pedestrians along roads in the Maligawatte police area.

The Maligakanda Magistrate's Court too issued an order preventing SJB protesters from inconveniencing the public and protesters along Dean's Road, T.B. Jayah Mawatha, Technical Junction and other nearby areas of Colombo.