Many foreign missions, including the United Nations, have condemned
the early morning attack on the Galle Face strugglers by the Police and Security forces.
The British, Canadain, the EU and the US joined the chorus condemning the attack. Many maintained that there should be a democratic space for peaceful struggles.
During the early morning operation assisted by the security forces, Police arrested nine suspects. A few received treatment at the hospital after sustaining minor injuries.
Several suspects may face charges before a magistrate, Police said.
Fingerprint Bureau and other agencies will visit the Presidential secretariat to assess the damage caused by the protestors.
One lawyer tweeted the early morning operation reminded him of 1987 and 88.
Meanwhile, the opposition leader Sajith Premadasa, condemning the raid by the security forces, said the government had unleashed state violence to evacuate unarmed civilians from the protesting site.
