Over 50 persons, including senor Police officers, are undergoing treatment at Ragama and Negombo Base Hospitals after unruly protesters, led by the JVP trade union wing, clash with the law enforcing force at Katunayake today. Nine police officers including DIG Ravi Wijeyagunawardena, two ASPs and the OIC of the area were injured during the clash which took place in Katunayake Free Trade Zone.
According to Police sources, the injured policemen are undergoing treatment at the Negombo Base Hospital. The JVP trade unionists claimed that over 40 of their men too were injured during the clashes and are undergoing treatment at Ragama and Negombo Base Hospitals.
A tense situation erupted between the JVP trade union-led protesters who are employees of the Katunayake FTZ and Police. The clashes began when unruly protesters pelted stones at policemen who were on duty to maintain law and order. Katunayake Police under the directions of Negombo SSP Chandana Galappaththi are making further investigations.