One person has been killed and at least 27 others were injured after Police opened fire to disperse protestors in Rambukkana, Sri Lanka on Tuesday (19) evening.
The police have fired tear gas and opened fire to curb the tense situation in Rambukkana due to a protest against the increase in fuel prices today.
The injured have been admitted to Kegalle and Rambukkana hospitals.
Ten persons injured in the incident have been admitted to the Kegalle Hospital and one of them has succumbed to his injuries, hospital director Dr. Mihiri Priyangani confirmed.
The director of the hospital said the condition of two of the other nine injured persons was serious. The director of the hospital stated that it is suspected that the injuries sustained by the injured were due to gunshots.
Among the injured were 10 policemen including an Assistant Superintendent of Police, They are receiving treatment at the Kegalle Hospital.
Hospital sources said that four of the injured admitted to the two hospitals were in critical condition.
It is reported that troops have been deployed to ensure security in the area.
Sri Lanka Police confirmed that the police opened fire to disperse a group of protestors who were obstructing the Rambukkana Railway Crossing since early morning.
Police Spokesperson SSP Nihal Thalduwa said police issued warnings to the protestors to leave the area but they did not comply. He said the protesters were preparing to set a petrol bowser on fire.
A tense situation arose when the Rambukkana Police fired tear gas to disperse the protesters who were blocking roads and the railway line for more than 15 hours and the protesters have pelted stones at the Police.
The protesters have been protesting since 1:30 am Tuesday demanding a solution to the fuel crisis have closed the Kandy-Colombo main railway line from Rambukkana town, while others have closed the Rambukkana-Kegalle, Kurunegala and Mawanella roads.
As a result, train services on the main line were severely disrupted from this morning and many trains were canceled by the railway authorities.