Sri Lankan Police Stopped a Massive Protest Against State Suppression

Sri Lanka Police had stopped a massive protest march against the state suppression commenced opposite the Elphinstone Theater in Maradana (Colombo District) yesterday noon (02th November), near the Maradana Railway station.

The Protest march was attended by multiple groups including over 150 trade unions and mass organizations as well as 20 political parties including main opposition Samagi Janabalawegaya (SJB) Party, Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), Frontline Socialist party and the 43rd Brigade was stopped by the Police deployed to provide security in the Colombo City when the protesters marched towards Colombo Fort Railway station. However the leftist Jathika Janabalawegaya lead by Jantha Wimukthi Peramuna (JVP) had not participated the Protest march. Heated words exchanged between the protestors and the Police officers when the Police had attempted to prevent the Protestors from reaching Colombo Fort railway station.

Earlier Police had issued a letter to the organizers of the Protest march stating that a permission will not be granted to protest opposite the Colombo Fort Railway station and nearby area. The letter issued by the Police Superintendent has stated that the protest would lead a traffic congestion as well as affecting the movements of tourists.