monks protest brings Colombo’s financial and central public transport district comes to a halt

Colombo’s financial and central public transport district came to a halt on Monday with the National Bikkhu Front attempting to march into the Presidential residence in Fort. Colombo’s financial and central public transport district came to a halt on Monday with the National Bikkhu Front attempting to march into the Presidential residence in Fort. The protest and later dispersal with teargas and baton charges forced shops in the area to close and busses connecting to all parts of the island to be grounded until the protesters vacated Ollcot Mawatha - the road liking Pettah to Fort.

Shop owners companied for their loss of business for a second day, saying that their daily income was being affected due to the protest.

Shop owners also fear that the unrest and protest could damage their merchandise and their tiny shop fronts.

The Fort Railway station was temporally closed off as retaliating monks and other protesters including university students ran into the station premises.

Sources at the site reported that police fired teargas into the railway station a nearby open-air market.

Fort police officials said the protesters were awaiting National Bikh