Hambantota protest: 11 more arrested

January 8, 2017 11:49 am

Eleven more individuals have been arrested on charges of violating court orders and damaging public property in Hambantota, during a protest earlier on Saturday (7), police said.

At least 21 people, including three police officers, were injured in violent clashes between Sri Lankan government supporters and protesters marching against what they say is a plan to take over private land for an industrial zone in which China will have a major stake.

Police used tear gas and water cannons to try to break up the clashes, which took place as Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was attending the opening ceremony for the industrial zone development project, located near the port city of Hambantota.

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