Sri Lanka probes clashes between students, police

IANSColomboThe Sri Lankan police yesterday launched an investigation into the violent clashes with university students on Tuesday that left many people injured.Police spokesperson Ruwan Gunesekara said that the investigation will be carried out by a police team in Colombo where the clashes erupted, Xinhua news agency reported.Hundreds of Sri Jayawardenapura University students demonstrated on the streets of the capital Colombo on Tuesday, urging the new government to respond to their several demands to ensure students’ rights.Riot police were called in when the students attempted to forcibly proceed towards Temple Trees, the official premises used by the president and prime minister for meetings, disrupting traffic in the heart of Colombo.Police fired teargas and water cannons at the protesting students in an attempt to prevent them from approaching Temple Trees, resulting in violent clashes between the students and the police.“There is no discussing of matters with this government. We have tried to communicate these issues several times but they did not respond, so this is the only way to get their attention. This government is no different from the last one, the only difference being that the Rajapakse government took some time to start hitting students, but this government has no reservations as they assaulted students in the first major protest they faced,” Students Union convener Najith Indika said. Anil Jasingha, director of the National Hospital, said that 10 students were admitted to the hospital after the clashes.Seven police officers were also injured in stone pelting by the students. According to police, one injured police officer was receiving treatment at the National Hospital while the others were being treated at the Police Hospital in Colombo.The police said they have arrested many students to restore normalcy in the city.