Sri Lanka Police has issued a clarification on the actions of Police personnel with regard to protesters travelling to Colombo to participate in the rally and protest march organized by the Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) party at Hyde Park grounds.
Several protesters coming into Colombo from various parts of the country were denied entry to the city by the Police today.
Issuing a statement, Police spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa said the Police had denied entry based on a complaint filed by the Director-General (DG) of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena.
He said the Health Services DG had informed the Police that the rally and protest march have been organized without the approval of the health authorities.
As a result, the Police had taken measures to set up roadblocks and prevented protesters from entering Colombo, the SSP said.
The Police spokesman added that new health guidelines had also been issued on 09th November banning such rallies, public gatherings, and protest marches.
SSP Thalduwa said as the protest march was being held against the health guidelines and without the approval of the health authorities, the Police had taken measures to prevent it. (NewsWire)