Court orders to arrest SSP, cops involved

The Kegalle Magistrate’s Court has issued an order directing the Inspector General of Police to arrest the Senior Superintendent of Police for Kegalle who ordered to open fire at protestors in Rambukkana recently, as well as the police officers who were involved in it.

Kegalle Magistrate Wasana Nawarathne made the order when the case related to the incident was taken up before court yesterday.

According to the report submitted by the Judicial Medical Officer, it was revealed that the individual who died when police opened fire at protestors, had died due to the gunshot injuries. The Rambukkana protests erupted over delayed petrol deliveries and sharp new price increases in petrol and diesel announced on April 18. On Tuesday, the 19th of April 2022, demonstrators blocked main roads and a railway line.

Police began directing tear gas at thousands of protesters in the afternoon and then suddenly, without warning, opened fire with live rounds.

Chaminda Lakshan, a 40-year-old father of two from Naranbedda, a village near Rambukkana, was shot.He died soon after being admitted to Kegalle hospital.