Anti-SAITM protesters receive tears and water treatment

The Police yesterday fired tear gas and water cannon to disperse state university students protesting a Government decision to hand over control of the controversial South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM) to the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT).

The protest march was organised by the Inter University Student Federation (IUSF) and the Parents’ Union of Medical Students (PUMS) and culminated in a large gathering at the Kollupitiya junction, resulting in heavy traffic congestion in the area.

The organisers led the march to Kollupitiya despite a stay order the Police had obtained from the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court and the Gangodawila Magistrate’s Court preventing them from reaching Colombo.