. Sri Lanka major opposition party protest tear gassed in Colombo

Sri Lanka police fired tear gas, attacked with water cannons and used baton charges to disperse an opposition protest held in Colombo today.

The protest against the increase of fuel prices led by United National Party (UNP) was held before the Colombo Fort railway station this evening. Left parties such as the Left Front and United Socialist Party joined the agitation with NGOs like Platform for Freedom.

A large crowd participated in the protest and the roads in the commercial center of the city was blocked for nearly two hours causing a severe traffic jam.

UNP MP Jayalath Jayawardhana was taken to Colombo national hospital and treated for tear gas effect and injuries, UNP sources said.

UNP leader Ranil Wickramasinghe addressing the masses at the Fort railway station demanded the government increase the salaries since the recent fuel price hike had effected drastic escalation of cost of living. Share this article