Hirunika Premachandra, a former member of parliament, and 11 other people who were detained during a demonstration at Fort, Colombo, close to the President’s official house, have been released on police bail.
Rehan Jayawickreme, vice chairman of the SJB youth wing, and Hirunika Premachandra led a group that today staged a demonstration in response to the difficulties that the general public is experiencing as a result of the economic crisis.
They were placed under police protection after being arrested and then taken in a bus to an undisclosed location.
The public had congregated nearby Chatham Street, which leads to the President’s official residence, at that point, but the police attacked them with tear gas and water cannons.
