At least nine persons had been arrested and several others were injured during a tense situation that prevailed early this morning at the Galle Face protest site when the security forces removed the protesters near Presidential Secretariat, police said.

The police, with the help of the three armed forces and the STF, proceeded to evacuate the protesters who were staying in the Presidential Secretariat office, its main entrance and around the office in the Colombo Fort.

The arrested suspects aged between 26 and 58, are residents of Kelaniya, Embilipitiya, Ja Ala, Ratnapura, Sevanagala, Wellampitiya, Pitigala, Wadduwa and Nugegoda.

Police said the arrested would be produced in Court today.

Meanwhile, the Crime Scene Investigation Officers (SOCO) and fingerprint analysts will be called at the President's Secretariat to obtain scientific evidence.

The investigations are being conducted under the supervision of the Colombo (Central) Senior Superintendent of Police.