FTZ clash: Two policemen arrested

Sarath MALALASEKERA

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) conducting investigations into the clash between the police and Free Trade Zone (FTZ) employees, arrested a Chief Inspector and an Inspector yesterday. The two policemen will be produced before the Negombo Magistrate.

Following the clash 15 Police personnel, including a Deputy Inspector General of Police, an ASP and an Inspector were injured.

Eight FTZ employees were also injured and rushed to the Ragama hospital.

The Chilaw area DIG who was injured was transferred to the Colombo National Hospital for further treatment.

Immediately after the clash the IGP had deployed a special CID team led by the DIG CID to conduct investigations into the incident. The report will be forwarded to the President.

On the direction of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, several ministers visited FTZ employees and had informed them that the government had taken a decision not to include the FTZ employees into the proposed pension scheme.

About 43,000 employees from 80 factories protested against the proposed pension scheme.

A Magisterial inquiry will also be held today.