The Minister of Transport Dilum Amunugama says that the protesters who rioted near the Jubilee Post in Nugegoda last night could be arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).
He told the media that they had set the buses on fire and damaged property, which was an act of terrorism.
The Minister further said.
“A protest was held in Nugegoda last night and the police have been patient while damaging even their property. But at the end of the night, the place where the bus had crossed and the road was closed was on fire. When a group tried to enter that area, STF officers fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse the group and secured the area. So this is what happened.
There was no obstruction or attack on the protest. However, tear gas and water cannons were fired at the last barricade of the President’s house while trying to remove the burning bus. This is the least amount of force used in any situation like this, especially when trying to enter the President’s house while President is at home. That is the true state of affairs. It’s a different story about how this was organized and who. The facts about it will be revealed. Even under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, arrests can be made here because these are acts of terrorism. Because even in 88-89 we know that buses were set on fire and police stations were set on fire, ”he added.