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| Sunday, 12 December 2004 |
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Sharukh Khan Show : Protest turns violent by Deepal Warnakulasuriya Police used tear gas, rubber bullets and water canons yesterday evening to disperse unruly youth and Buddhist monks who tried to enter the Race Courts Grounds agitating against having the `temptation' musical show which coincided with the death anniversary of the Most Ven. Soma Thera. The Soma Thera Chintana Foundation had started a fast unto death in front of the Race Course Grounds, forcing the organisers to cancel the show. However, the Temptation Show Unit Manager, Prathik Hemanth Shatir Sharma who came on the scene apologised to the Maha Sangha, Buddhists and all persons involved in the fast. Although the Jathika Hela Urumaya MPs Ven Aturaliye Rathana Thera and Ven. Omalpe Sobhitha Thera wanted to stop the fast, the youth insisted that the show should be cancelled. A clash then took place between the police and protestors when they tried to enter the Race Course grounds. Police used tear gas, rubber bullets and water canons to disperse them. Then the protestors were taken back to F.R.Senanayake Mawatha. Police had taken into custody over 10 youth including a monk. However, the monk was released in an hour. Ven. Sobhitha Sobhitha Thera had been admitted to the Colombo National Hospital due to complications arising from the tear gas attack. When contacted the Colombo National Hospital Director Dr. Hector Weerasinghe confirmed that JHU MP Dr.Omalpe Sobitha thera was admitted to a ward and was out of danger. Protestors also blocked all the roads leading to the Race Course Grounds, after they were dispersed and they damaged several shops along the way. However, hundreds of youth accompanied by monks waited till 7.00 pm at F.R.Senanayake Mawatha and dispersed after the release of the 12 youth. When contacted the Colombo DIG, Sirisena Herath confirmed " 12 youth who were arrested in connection with unruly behaviour were released". Meanwhile, Bollywood superstar Sharukh Khan also apologised about the show and observed a two-minute silence at the beginning of the three hour show in honour of the late Most Ven. Gangodawila Soma thera. |
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