![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/weliweriya.jpg\" "\\"weliweriya\\"")
<\/a>The victim was a 16 year old male, according to hospital reports. At least one more demonstrator was critically injured in clashes on the scene.<\/p>\nProtesters reacted angrily to the presence of the army resulting in severe tension that also caused injuries to several journalists reporting on the demonstration.<\/p>\n
Police had earlier tried to disperse the demonstration using water canons and tear gas after the protests blocked the main Colombo-Kandy Road, but called for military reinforcements when attempts failed.<\/p>\n
Security forces personnel had fired into the crowd in its efforts to disperse the protest, residents told reporters. Video footage has also emerged of the assault.<\/p>\n
Journalists and camera crew were prevented from covering the clashes, with the military moving to destroy the memory cards of at least one photojournalist reporting in the area.<\/p>\n
Ada Newspaper photojournalist Chanuka Kulasekera was admitted to the Gampaha hospital following the clashes. His camera has been damaged in the attacks.<\/p>\n
By 9:40 p.m. Sri Lankan time, a power blackout took place in Weliweriya. The power is yet to be restored in the area.<\/p>\n
Residents and reporters on site are calling it a mini-war and claim the security forces are combing the villages for instigators of the demonstration. Residents say they are still hearing gunfire in the area.<\/p>\n
Ground water contamination in Weliweriya, Gampaha brought residents of some 10 villages in the area out onto the streets a few days ago led by a Chief Monk of a temple in the area. Residents in the area have implicated a glove making plant known as Dipped Products PLC a subsidiary of Hayleys Group<\/p>\n
in the contamination crisis, although the company has stringently denied the claims. The residents are demanding the closure of the industrial plant and pure drinking water facilities from the authorities.<\/p>\n
According to some reports, the military will be stationed in the area till 2 a.m. tomorrow. Residents speculate that the company is attempting to transport goods from the plant tonight and the military will supervise the operation.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile the Chief Monk leading the protest Siridhamma Thero called off his fast unto death a short while ago following discussions with Hayleys representatives at the Defence Ministry. Hayleys officials also held discussions with Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa<\/a><\/span> yesterday Colombo Telegraph reliably learns.<\/p>\n