(VIDEO) Water Cannons and Riot Police to crackdown on IUSF protest

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka Police deployed water cannons to disperse a protest in Colombo organized by the Inter-University Students' Federation.

The Acting Police Spokesperson told News 1st that 20 people were arrested during the protest. 

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.