University students protest demanding to secure free education in Sri Lanka, Colombo - 05 Mar 2024
University students react as police deploy water cannon to disperse them during a protest demanding free education and health rights, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, 05 March 2024. Thousands of university students took to the streets of Colombo demanding to secure their free education and health rights. In Sri Lanka, where free education is typically ensured for all students, amid the current economic crisis the government is increasingly encouraging private education institutes. Sri Lanka's President Ranil Wickremesinghe in December 2023 announced a series of educational reforms planning to 'allow any recognized educational institution in the world to establish universities in Sri Lanka'. This shift has sparked protests from students who are advocating to safeguard their right to free education.