国际英语新闻：6 arrested, 12 vehicles damaged in protest rally in Sri Lanka

COLOMBO, Feb. 10 (Xinhua) -- Six people were arrested and 12 vehicles were damaged when Sri Lankan police dispersed a protest rally on Wednesday near the Sri Lankan Supreme Court Complex in Colombo following the arrest of former Army Commander and defeated presidential candidate General Sarath Fonseka.

The organizers of the protest said an armed gang led by a member from the ruling party attacked their peaceful protest which was attended by several legislators of main opposition United National Party and leftist party JVP or the People's Liberation Front.

Police spokesman Prishantha Jayakody said the police had to fire tear gas and water cannon to get the situation under control.

Prishantha said the police arrested six persons and 12 vehicles were damaged in the clash.

General Secretary of the UNP Tissa Attanayake said 10 party supporters were injured.

Attanayake said their protests in other districts were held successfully.

JVP Parliamentary Group leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said the government can not stop their protest by such attacks and they will continue the protest until Fonseka is released.

However, the government denies their supporters' involvement in the clash.

"It is illegal to hold protest marches or rallies within the Supreme Court Complex and it would be the reason for the police to disperse the protest," General Secretary of the ruling coalition Minister Susil Premajayantha said.

Fonseka was arrested by the military police on Monday night which the opposition groups claimed an illegal abduction.

The former Army Commander was badly defeated by incumbent Mahinda Rajapaksa in the Jan. 26 presidential election.