04:09Activists from student organisations and associations gathered outside Bangladesh's High Commission building in Colombo on Monday to protest against police brutality and to express support for students after the deadly protests over job quotes.
"We send a message of solidarity to the protestors of Bangladesh for the students of Bangladesh and say, you will win your struggle, this is a democratic struggle and you will win this struggle," one of the protesters said.
Footage shows demonstrators holding placards reading ‘Stop killing students now’, and ‘Stop the brutal killings of students in Bangladesh’, among other slogans.
There were reportedly minor scuffles with police during the protest as protesters tried to enter the building to hand over a petition to the high commissioner.
‘There are brutal attacks against the students and other general public, so Sheikh Hasina already killed around 150 students and the masses in Bangladesh, so we are here to condemn those attacks,’ Nuwan Bopage, a lawyer, said.
According to media reports, at least 163 people were killed as protesters clashed with police in Bangladesh over a disputed job quota system, although authorities have not confirmed the exact death toll. Under the existing system, one-third of public sector roles are set aside for relatives of veterans who fought in the 1971 war of independence.
The unrest prompted the government to impose a nationwide curfew and a 'shoot-on-sight' order to halt the student-led rallies.
Authorities have also reportedly cut mobile internet in an attempt to quell the protests. Students claim that the arrangement is discriminatory and are pushing for a recruitment process based solely on merit. Bangladesh's highest court suspended the current quota system last week in what is seen as a partial victory for the students.
'You will win this struggle' - Dozens rally in support of Bangladesh students outside country's high commission in Colombo
Activists from student organisations and associations gathered outside Bangladesh's High Commission building in Colombo on Monday to protest against police brutality and to express support for students after the deadly protests over job quotes.
"We send a message of solidarity to the protestors of Bangladesh for the students of Bangladesh and say, you will win your struggle, this is a democratic struggle and you will win this struggle," one of the protesters said.
Footage shows demonstrators holding placards reading ‘Stop killing students now’, and ‘Stop the brutal killings of students in Bangladesh’, among other slogans.
There were reportedly minor scuffles with police during the protest as protesters tried to enter the building to hand over a petition to the high commissioner.
‘There are brutal attacks against the students and other general public, so Sheikh Hasina already killed around 150 students and the masses in Bangladesh, so we are here to condemn those attacks,’ Nuwan Bopage, a lawyer, said.
According to media reports, at least 163 people were killed as protesters clashed with police in Bangladesh over a disputed job quota system, although authorities have not confirmed the exact death toll. Under the existing system, one-third of public sector roles are set aside for relatives of veterans who fought in the 1971 war of independence.
The unrest prompted the government to impose a nationwide curfew and a 'shoot-on-sight' order to halt the student-led rallies.
Authorities have also reportedly cut mobile internet in an attempt to quell the protests. Students claim that the arrangement is discriminatory and are pushing for a recruitment process based solely on merit. Bangladesh's highest court suspended the current quota system last week in what is seen as a partial victory for the students.
Activists from student organisations and associations gathered outside Bangladesh's High Commission building in Colombo on Monday to protest against police brutality and to express support for students after the deadly protests over job quotes.
"We send a message of solidarity to the protestors of Bangladesh for the students of Bangladesh and say, you will win your struggle, this is a democratic struggle and you will win this struggle," one of the protesters said.
Footage shows demonstrators holding placards reading ‘Stop killing students now’, and ‘Stop the brutal killings of students in Bangladesh’, among other slogans.
There were reportedly minor scuffles with police during the protest as protesters tried to enter the building to hand over a petition to the high commissioner.
‘There are brutal attacks against the students and other general public, so Sheikh Hasina already killed around 150 students and the masses in Bangladesh, so we are here to condemn those attacks,’ Nuwan Bopage, a lawyer, said.
According to media reports, at least 163 people were killed as protesters clashed with police in Bangladesh over a disputed job quota system, although authorities have not confirmed the exact death toll. Under the existing system, one-third of public sector roles are set aside for relatives of veterans who fought in the 1971 war of independence.
The unrest prompted the government to impose a nationwide curfew and a 'shoot-on-sight' order to halt the student-led rallies.
Authorities have also reportedly cut mobile internet in an attempt to quell the protests. Students claim that the arrangement is discriminatory and are pushing for a recruitment process based solely on merit. Bangladesh's highest court suspended the current quota system last week in what is seen as a partial victory for the students.