student leaders say over 500 police personnel assaulted student protest and arrested 10 students including a Buddhist monk

The Inter-University Student Association (IUSA) said at least six students were admitted to the hospital with injuries as '500 policemen' assaulted the protesting students.

IUSA convenor, Duminda Nagamuva, told BBC Sandeshaya that 10 university students including a Buddhist monk were arrested by the police.

Police admit assault

The arrested students were remanded in custody until 13 December.

However, the police said the students were assaulted as they did not obey the orders not to pass beyond the police cordon.

Any person will have to face the consequences if they try to take the law into their hands DIG Jayantha Wickramaratne

Police spokesman, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Jayantha Wickramaratne told BBC Sandeshaya that the assault was a result of students' 'unruly behaviour'.

"Any person will have to face the consequences if they try to take the law into their hands," DIG Wickaramaratne said.

There is no any obstacle at all, the spokesman stressed, to hold a peaceful demonstration anywhere in Sri Lanka.

'Prepared' for attack

Denying the police accusation, the IUSA said the police were already prepared to attack the students' demonstration.

"Why did they call 500 policemen on duty? Why did they prepared tear gas if they were not prepared to assault?" Duminda Nagamuva questioned.

Why did they call 500 policemen on duty? Why did they prepared tear gas if they were not prepared to assault IUSA Convenor, Duminda Nagamuva

Sri Lanka's judiciary has earlier ordered the students to move away from a Satyagraha protest.

DIG Wickramaratne said police had to act accordingly as the students have violated the court order.

Duminda Nagamuva said the police has misled the judiciary in obtaining the court order.

"And, the court is not relevant to today's protest. This is a separate demonstration," he told BBC Sinhala.com.