Police arrested Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Pradeshiya Sabha member Duminda Perera for allegedly assaulting Kelaniya university students while attempting to demolish a stage set up by a group of students during a protest in Kiribathgoda.

The suspect was subsequently remanded till April 22 by the Mahara Magistrate Court.

The arrest came in the wake of a complaint that he had stormed a peaceful protest organized by a group of students of the Kelaniya University Students’ Union. 

Senior Counsel Darshana Kuruppu, appearing for the aggrieved party, told the Court that the university students had engaged in a peaceful protest against the injustices faced by the general public in long queues.

However, defence counsel Sugath Thalwattegedara moved Court to release the suspect on bail. 

After considering the facts before him, the Mahara Additional Magistrate remanded the suspect till April 22.