Galle Face protesters arrested near Finance Ministry granted bail

The 21 protesters arrested yesterday by police following a protest held opposite the Presidential Secretariat and the Ministry of Finance this morning, have been granted bail by the Fort Magistrate.

The suspects including a Buddhist monk, four women and 16 men were released on Rs. 500,000 surety bail each when they were produced before Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage.

The case will be taken up once again on the 22 July.

Protesters at Galle Face had blocked the two gates on the Lotus Mawatha used for entry to the Presidential Secretariat on Sunday. They remained at the scene until this morning and blocked the two gates used by the Finance Ministry and the Treasury.

The protesters erected tents in front of the entrances to protest, preventing officials from reporting on the essential services in those offices as well as the public who had come for the needs.

Police Media Spokesman’s Office said protesters blocking the gates to the Finance Ministry prevented the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance from leaving for the discussions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation.