Six people arrested during march against tariff hike

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka Police obstructed the protest march that commenced from Divulapitiya, against the increase in electricity tariffs.

Sri Lanka Police said that a monk and five others were arrested.

Several groups including the Electricity Users' Association, the Citizens' Advisory Council, and the Collective of Civil Organization had organized a protest march against the increased electricity tariff, from Divulapitiya.

After addressing the media, the group marched from the Divulapitiya Bus Stand to the Colombo - Kurunegala Main Road.

News 1st correspondents said that a large number of police personnel were deployed in the area.

A heated exchange followed after Sri Lanka Police obstructed the protest march.

Though the protestors moved aside to pave way for the flow of traffic, another heated exchange took place, after Sri Lanka Police blocked the road.

Thereafter, the Chairman of the Citizen's Movement Against Fraud, Corruption, and Waste, Jamuni Kamantha Thushara, and the Secretary of the Electricity Users' Association Sanjeewa Dhammika were arrested.

Later, several others including Venerable Balangoda Kassapa Thero were arrested as well.