There has been a comprehensive plan to avert any attack on the “Gota Go Gama” by unruly mobs. However, under the directions of the higher authorities, the Police had to abandon it. Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Colombo division Chandra Kumar has told the CID.
He has apprised the CID that two high-intensity water spraying machines were on standby near the Galle Face roundabout with Policemen trained to handle tear gas canisters.
The DIG has told the CID sleuths that the organisers of the Temple Trees meeting to take a different route via Salve -Island if they were planning to walk to the Presidential Secretariat from the Temple Trees following the meeting. The DIG has said the organisers originally agreed to take the Slave-Island route but changed the idea and attacked the protestors near the Temple Trees and walked in the direction of the Galle Face Green.
The DIG said on the instructions of the senior DIG that the Police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse the crowds.
“We could save many protestors and the make-shift constructions erected at the Galle Face Green.”
He further said if there weren’t any phone calls influencing the Police to withdraw from the original positions, they could have averted the clash.
The DIG has submitted pictures and videos to substantiate what he said.
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