Tear gas fired on IUSF protest near Parliament

Police have fired tear gas at a group of university students adjacent to the Parliament premises.

The Inter University Students Federation launched a protest march from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura this afternoon and marched towards the Parliament complex in Battaramulla.

They walked through Highlevel Road to Nugegoda, Rajagiriya through Nawala.

The university students successfully pushed over through the first barricades, following which a tense situation broke out.

However, upon approaching the second barricade set by Police, tear gas was fired to disperse the group.

The protest was staged by the students under the theme, ‘Aanduwa Pannamu; Kramaya Peralamu’.

Heavy traffic congestion was also reported owing to the protest march.

Police this morning informed that several roads around the Parliament complex will be closed today and tomorrow (06).

Police said the decision was reached considering the inconvenience caused to Parliamentarians and Parliamentary staff due to ongoing protests during the Parliamentary session.