Chaos erupted outside the Kotuwa Magistrate’s Court as opposition protesters clashed with security forces, forcing police to seal off the roads and keep water cannons on standby. With former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s corruption case looming, Colombo turned into a battleground of politics, power, and public rage.
A tense situation unfolded near the Kotuwa Magistrate’s Court today as opposition party members staged a protest under the banner “Against Repression.” Security forces swiftly closed the roads leading to the court premises, allowing only a limited number of people inside.
Despite heavy security, cameras captured dramatic scenes of opposition protesters breaking through police barricades in an attempt to enter the restricted court zone. Police water cannons, riot squads, and the elite Special Task Force were deployed on high alert, preparing for a potential escalation.
The unrest coincides with the legal proceedings of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is currently receiving treatment at the Colombo National Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit while under remand. Wickremesinghe was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department on August 22 under charges filed through the Public Property Act, accused of misusing public funds.
Following his arrest, the Fort Magistrate’s Court ordered his remand until today, setting the stage for heightened political and legal drama. The protest reflects the growing anger among opposition ranks, as Colombo braces itself for the outcome of one of the country’s most closely watched trials.
