A JVP-instigated student protest, close to Temple Trees, demanding the immediate release of 13 undergraduates, including the convener of the Inter University Students Federation (IUSF), Udul Premaratne, in remand and the dropping of the ‘university privatisation’ plans, ended without incidents.

Undergraduates gathered near Temple Trees after marching from the Viharamahadevi Park.

They set fire to an effigy of President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Kollupitiya junction while the police looked on. The police said that there was no requirement to use force as students did not make an attempt to cross the barricades. A senior officer told The Island that the police were fully prepared to thwart any attempt to enter the high security zone.

The protest caused a massive traffic jam in the area. .

Acting Convener of the IUSF Sanjeewa Bandara, told The Island that they only wanted to hand over a petition to President Mahinda Rajapaksa, but the police have thwarted their plan.