Four persons including Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) activist Duminda Nagamuwa and youth activist Lahiru Weerasekara, who were arrested during the demonstration by the ‘Jana Aragala Viyaparaya’in Colombo yesterday, have been remanded until March 27 by the Fort Magistrate’s Court.

Accordingly, the court ordered to remand in custody Duminda Nagamuwa, Lahiru Weerasekara, Ven. Rathkarawwe Jinarathana Thero and a female arrested during yesterday’s protest. 

Meanwhile, Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage ordered to remand 05 others arrested during the protest until tomorrow (22) and to produce them before an identification parade, Ada Derana reporter said. 

A total of thirty-three individuals including Duminda Nagamuwa, Lahiru Weerasekarawere, 02 Buddhist monks and 03 females were arrested by police during the protest staged by the ‘Jana Aragala Viyaparaya’ (People’s Struggle Movement) in Colombo yesterday (20).

Meanwhile, it was reported that at least 05 police officers were injured during the clashes with protesters. 

Police had resorted to using tear gas and water cannons to disperse the protesters in Pettah, Colombo.

The demonstration had been organized by the ‘Jana Aragala Viyaparaya’ (People’s Struggle Movement) based on several issues including the soaring cost of living and certain foreign agreements the government intends to sign. 

The protest march had commenced from near the Fort Railway Station and they were heading in the direction of Pettah when riot police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse them.