Over 2,000 university students are currently marching from Maradana to Colombo Fort, demanding the closure of the South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM).

The protest has caused heavy traffic in the area, Police sources said.

The Police anti-riot squad has already been deployed to contain the situation, they added.

The protest comes two days after the Court of Appeal made the order that medical student from the SAITM private university are allowed to register with the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC).

The protesters are saying the court's verdict would lead to privatization of the country's education system.