President takes backdoor to Parliament

Thursday, 4 April 2019 01:36 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

President’s convoy detours as Sabaragamuwa University student protesters block main entrance to Parliament

By Ashwin Hemmathagama – Our Lobby Correspondent

With protestors blocking Parliament road from Polduwa junction, President Maithripala Sirisena was forced to make a back-door entry to the Parliamentary complex yesterday afternoon.

Parliament sources said that the President’s convoy was unable to reach Parliament’s main entrance, due to the protest organized by the Inter-University Student Federation, backed by the undergraduates against the alleged reduction of student intake to Sabaragamuwa University. Hence, his convoy detoured and entered the Parliament complex through the service entrance along Madiwela Road.

The protest march started in front of the Aesthetics University in Colombo, and was to be wound up in front of the University Grants Commission near Town Hall. However, the protesters, cancelling their plans, proceeded towards Parliament on learning that the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) planned to voice the students’ concerns in Parliament.

JVP MP Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa was to move an adjournment motion on the issues concerning the students later in the day.

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