A protest took place near Gandhi Park in Batticaloa yesterday (22) against two draft laws presented by the government.
Civil society activists held the agitation over the anti-terrorism and online safety bills.
Carrying placards, they marched from Kallady Bridge with calls to the government to safeguard fundamental rights, right to expression and assembly, and to respect human rights.
Among the protestors was former state minister Ali Zahir Moulana.
Police banned a one-day hunger strike planned after the protest.
The two proposed laws are coming under local and international condemnation.