Six police officers have been arrested in connection with an assault on a Catholic priest in Sri Lanka, sparking protests from fellow clergy.

Fr Milan Priyadarshana was riding a motorcycle in Gampaha, wearing clerical clothing returning from mass, when he was chased by a police motorcycle unit.

He alleges he was beaten and abandoned on the side of the road. 

The priest was hospitalised after the incident, according to the Catholic Herald.

A Fundamental Rights petition has been lodged by the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka, a constitutional complaint to the Supreme Court which alleges rights have been violated by the police. 

The six officers arrested were remanded into custody until 29th January, when they will appear at an identification hearing.

Clergy organised a silent protest outside the Negombo Municipal Council, holding placards which read “Father Milan, we are with you” and “we condemn physical and mental abuse”.

Sister Malathi Dassanayake, of the Sadasarana Congregation, told Asia News: “We strongly condemn this attack on one of our brother priests.” 

“To show our solidarity with him, we are silently protesting at this place. We condemn any attack on human life, on an unarmed person, whether ordained or lay.”