Sri Lanka: Clashes between student activists and police reported in the Ward Place area in Colombo the afternoon of July 21

Event

Police dispersed protesters affiliated with the Inter-University Students' Federation (IUSF) at Colombo's Lipton/De Soysa Circus intersection, the afternoon of July 21 with water cannons. There are no immediate reports of casualties. Participants had planned to rally outside the University Grants Commission office in the Colombo 7 area called Ward Place to demand expansion of university seats.

Authorities will likely maintain a heightened security posture in the area. Localized traffic disruptions are likely, and further clashes cannot be ruled out.

Advice

Avoid the impacted area. Allow additional travel time if operating in the area. Heed all official traffic and security advisories. If violence occurs nearby, immediately depart the area.