Sri Lankan security forces shot tear gas and fired water cannons at Tamil students as they marched on Sri Lanka's 76th Independence Day this morning, with Tamils across the North-East launching demonstrations to mark it as a ‘Black Day’.
As students from Jaffna University marched towards Kilinochchi, they were met by a heavy security presence complete with barricades and riot police, armed with shields, batons, tear gas and water cannons.
A number of students were arrested by the Sri Lankan security forces.
Newly elected ITAK leader S Shritharan was present at the scene as the Sri Lankan security forces beat back the students and arrested several.
For decades Tamils have protested on Sri Lanka's Independence Day, stating that they have still not found equality, justice or liberation.
As the police arrested protestors in the North, other demonstrations took place in the East and around the world.
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