Water cannons, tear gas fired to disperse SJB protestors
Posted on January 30th, 2024
Courtesy The Daily Mirror
Police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse Samagi Jana Bala Wegaya (SJB) protestors near the public library in Colombo a short while ago.
SJB leader Sajith Premadasa was at the protest.
Will defy all laws and begin another Aragalaya tomorrow: SJB
Colombo, Jan 29 (Daily Mirror) – The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) will not take notice of any restrictions but will take to the streets tomorrow and fire the first shot towards overthrowing the present government, SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara said today.
The IGP or anyone else can impose any restriction but we will defy all laws and bring 50,000 people to Colombo tomorrow,” Madduma Bandara told a media briefing.
It was the SJB which pioneered the uprising in 2022 and we intend to do the same this time as well,” Madduma Banadara added.
We will not disclose where we will march towards now, but we will reveal it at the correct time tomorrow,” he added.
Former MP Hirunika Premachandra who also participated in the briefing said the protest will be against suppressive legislations such as the Anti-Terrorism Bill, Online Safety Bill and increased taxes.
We will disclose where we are going to surround at the right time,” she also said
Court issues order on SJB protest
Colombo, Jan 30 (Daily Mirror) – The Colombo Magistrate’s Court issued an order prohibiting Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa and several others from conducting protests that inconvenience the public and disrupt traffic by blocking roads in Maligawatta today.
The Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Maligawatta Police informed court on plans by a group associated with a political party to initiate a protest march near the Muslim cemetery in Maligawatta and requested an order to prevent the protest.
In response, the magistrate ordered SJB leader Sajith Premadasa, SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara, SJB Chief Organizer of Colombo Central Mujibur Rahman, Apsara Amarasinghe, members of the Samagi Jana Balawega and women’s organizations to refrain from obstructing traffic along the route from the Maligawatta Muslim Cemetery to Sangaraja Mawatha via Pradeepa Mawatha, Saddharma Mawatha, Jayantha Weerasekara Mawatha, Milton Perera Mawatha, and Jumma Masjid Junction around the Sangaraja roundabout.
Policemen and protesters injured during SJB protest
By YOHAN PERERA
Colombo, Jan. 30 (Daily Mirror)- Police Spokesman Nihal Thalduwa today confirmed that few policemen were injured in today’s protest while Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) also said some of its partymen were also injured and hospitalized.
There were some policemen injured in the commotion but I am still to receive a report in protest,” Mr. Thalduwa said.
SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara said around five party supporters including former MP Mujibur Rahaman was injured and hospitalized. However sources at the Accident Ward of the Colombo National Hospital said no politician was admitted to the hospital.
Former MP Mujibur Rahman hospitalised during SJB protest
Courtesy Adaderana
Former Parliamentarian Mujibur Rahman was reportedly rushed to the Colombo National Hospital after falling ill during the protest march staged by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) this afternoon (30 Jan.).
SJB MP Harsha de Silva stated that Rahman has been rushed to the Emergency Unit of the hospital.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), MP de Silva stated that Rahman had suffered breathing difficulties caused by strong tear gas attack”.
Earlier today, the SJB held a protest march against the conduct of the government, with the participation of Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and other leaders and allies of the political party.