Police Media Spokesman ASP Ruwan Gunasekara said that the situation in Kahawatta area is now peaceful and security is tight in the Kotakethana area as usual.

Police yesterday used water cannons to disperse protesters in Kahawatta town after they had blocked the Ratnapura-Embilipitiya road. Protesters expressed their anger at the verdict of the trial of three individuals accused of murdering a mother and daughter in Kotakethana in July 2012.

The three accused were released by Colombo High Court yesterday.

ASP Gunasekara also said that the next step pertaining to the case has to be taken by the Attorney General. Whether an appeal is filed or not is a matter completely under the AG’s discretion, he explained.

Meanwhile, police patrols in Kotakethana are conducted as usual, Gunasekara said.