by Norman Palihawadane
Police fired tear gas to disperse unruly mobs
which demonstrated in Negombo demanding the ownership of 14
shops from the Kudapaaduwa Church.
The vendors, who had been paying rent for the
shops, now demand the ownership be shifted from the Church to
them. This had caused disturbances between the devotees and the
vendors, police said.
Police said that their timely action averted a
disaster as the mobs were turning unruly and had already caused
much damage.
Police summoned representatives of both parties and explained
to them that it was their responsibility to assist the police to
maintain law and order and avoid communal disharmony.
