Oct 24, Colombo: Colombo Fort police have arrested 50 students who participated in a protest march by the members of the Inter-University Students' Federation (IUSF) today (24) at the Lotus Road.

A protest march organized by the Inter University Students Federation (IUSF) was marching from near the Elphinstone Theater in Maradana towards the Presidential Secretariat in front of the Fort Railway Station this afternoon.

The police closed the road at the Lotus Roundabout setting up barricades preventing the students reaching the Presidential Secretariat.

However, the protesting students have moved forward disregarding the barriers set up by the Police and attempted to march up to the Presidential Secretariat forcing the police to fire tear gas and water cannons to disperse the students.

The police riot squad arrested about 50 students who were still disregarding the police orders and lingering at the scene.

The students of the Inter-University Students' Federation were demanding the authorities to increase Mahapola scholarship grants and the allocations for the scholarships and to deliver the grants without any delays.