Police told to remain calm even if protesting teachers attack them: Minister

Police have been instructed to remain calm even if the protesting teachers acted violently and attacked the police, following a special order given by the President, Public Security Minister Sarath Weerasekara said today.

He told parliament that there was a time when protesters were baton charged, tear-gassed during the Yahapalana Government and said not a single protesting teacher had been attacked by the Government.

He said a policeman had lost two fingers due to the violent behaviour of the protesting teachers.

"Police have not attacked the protesting teachers and we will not do so at all. The President has given a special order to the police to remain calm even if they were attacked," he said.(Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera)