Several civil organisations have demanded he resignation of Health Services Director General Asela Gunawardena over the recent controversy on arresting protestors using quarantine laws.

Making a speech in Parliament, Public Security Minister Sarath Weerasekera said the arrests were made following a directive issued by the Health Services Director General.

Although those who were arrested were granted bail by the court, they were taken to state-run quarantine centres for mandatory quarantine.

The government's use of quarantine laws to suppress public protests has become a serious human rights concern in the country.

Three opposition MPs - Ranjith Madduma Bandara, Mayantha Dissanayake and Harshana Rajakaruna - have filed three FR petitions against using quarantine laws to ban public protests.