Twenty three persons including Eleven Policemen were injured and Hospitalized this evening following a clash occurred between a group of protesters including some joint opposition MP's and Buddhist Monks and Police Officers during a launching of Hambanthota-Southern Development Project in Hambanthota(Southern Province) today(07).
The injured were admitted to the Hambanthota Hospital for treatment .
The clash occurred after a group of protesters opposing China funded Hambanthota-Southern Development project entered the premises forcibly where the launching ceremony was held under the patronage of Prime Minister Ranil Wikramasinghe.
Although security was Tightened along the road leading to the premises where the launching ceremony was held,the protesters who begun the protest March from prabodhaa ramaya temple in Ambalanthota arrived at the premises through alternative routes .
As some of the protesters began to pelt stones ,Police fired tear gas and water cannon at the protesters it has been reported.
The Inspector General Of Police Pujitha Jayasundara Has also arrived at the scene.
Earlier in the day Prime Minister Wikramasinghe had launched the Hambanthota -Southern Development Project .
A sudden fire erupted in a Forest Reserve at kotagala-Hatton are(upcountry) this noon(07) spreads to around 25 acres of land so far due to the dry weather condition prevailing at present according to reports.
