Sri Lankan police disperse protestors through tear gas
Sri Lankan police used tear gas to disperse protesters. Colombo police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters demanding the release of the activists.
Sri Lanka. Police disperse anti-government protesters in the capital, Colombo. Sri Lankan police have violently dispersed hundreds of protesters every day after protest rights were severely curtailed in response to months of unrest sparked by the island nation’s deep economic downturn.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe cracked down on activists who forced his predecessor to flee the country and resign in July at the height of the country’s crisis.
Sri Lankan police disperse protestors through tear gas
Officers in riot gear blocked the march of students after the government declared the city center a “high-security zone” and banned demonstrations nearby.
Police fired tear gas and water cannons on Saturday to disperse protesters demanding the release of activists jailed under anti-terrorism laws.
Witnesses saw police arrest dozens of participants.
Wickremesinghe on Friday ordered a ban on all protests and demonstrations near major institutions, including his office and the homes of military leaders.
The influential Sri Lankan lawyers association condemned the ban, saying it would seriously undermine freedom of expression and assembly.
