Tense situation due to IUSF-Police standoff at protest

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Sri Lanka Police and the Inter-University Student's Federation were engaged in a stand-off on Tuesday (18).

The stand-off took place when the police decided to block the Colombo - Kandy main road to prevent a protest march from proceeding from the University of Kelaniya citing that 6-hour prior approval was not obtained.

Multiple arrests were also made during the protest.

Inter-University Student's Federation launched their protest march against suppression on a rainy Tuesday (18) afternoon.

They demanded the release of the two student activists who are being held under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.

They also emphasized to stop the repression immediately.

But when the police informed that the march could not be allowed because permission was not obtained 6 hours prior, a heated situation arose. 

Then, as the students moved towards Colombo, the police announced to disperse immediately. 

The group protesting on the road in front of the university later attempted to proceed forward again. 

There the police announced to disperse for the second time and several people were arrested. 

A heated situation arose again when a couple riding a motorcycle on the road claimed to have shown support to the students. 

However, the students did not attempt to continue with today's march and dispersed after student activists addressed the gathering in front of Kelaniya University.