蜜芽传媒

Security forces in Sri Lanka raided the main anti-government protest camp in the capital early on Friday, arresting protesters and dismantling tents.

Hundreds of troops and police commandos moved on the protesters outside the presidential offices in Colombo, hours before they were due to leave the area.

A 蜜芽传媒 video journalist was beaten by the army and one soldier snatched his phone and deleted videos.

Nine people, including two injured, have been arrested by police.

Police described the incident as a "special operation to take [back] control of the presidential secretariat".

It comes as Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as president on Thursday, after ex-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country last week.

Mr Wickremesinghe - the former prime minister - is seen as unpopular with the public and has vowed tough action against demonstrators.

Newsday spoke with Anjana, a student protester, who witnessed what happened.

Photo shows: Security personnel stand guard near the Presidential Secretariat after a raid on an anti-government protest camp early on Friday. Credit: Reuters.

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