University student activists released on bail hours after police use water cannons to disperse protest

by Zulfick Farzan 11-08-2023 | 9:53 AM

COLOMBO (News 1st); Twenty university students who were arrested during the protest march organized by the Inter University Students' Federation on Thursday (10) were released on bail.

The group was released based on a court order issued by the Hultsdorf Magistrate's Court No. 1, when they were produced in court on Thursday (10).

They were released on a personal bail of Rs. 25,000 each.

Court also ordered the group to be produced in court once again on the 14th of August.

Sri Lanka Police used water cannons to disperse the group at two separate location during the protest march on Thursday (10) evening.

Sri Lanka Police deployed water cannons to disperse a protest in Colombo organized by the Inter-University Students' Federation.

The Inter University Students' Federation, a student movement in Sri Lanka had organized a protest in Colombo on Thursday (10) citing multiple demands, including to terminate the Ranil - Wijeyadasa report that eliminates Free Education, to abolish the inhumane labour laws, and to prevent any attempt on the ETF and EPF funds of the people.

The Maligakanda Magistrate's Court issued an order preventing the protest from taking place after considering the submissions made by the OIC of the Maradana Police who claimed the protest would cause a public disturbance.

One Inter-University Students' Federation group protested opposite the Vihara Maha Devi Park in Colombo, and another group marched in protest from the Kirulapone Junction.

Water cannons were fired on the protest march twice by Sri Lanka Police.

Thereafter, water cannons were used to disperse the Inter-University Students' Federation protest opposite the Vihara Maha Devi Park.

Water cannons were used on them thrice.

Thereafter, Sri Lanka Police and Anti-Riot Squad chased after the protestors in order to make arrests.

Sri Lanka Army personnel were also summoned to crackdown on the protest, and several protestors were arrested when they entered the Public Library premises in Colombo.