1 killed, 13 injured as Lankan police open fire on anti-govt protestors

Sri Lankan police on Tuesday opened fire at anti-government protestors in southwestern region of Rambukkana, killing at least one person and injuring 13 others - the first death during the ongoing protests over the worst-ever economic crisis in the country's history.

Fifteen police personnel have also sustained injuries.

The residents of Rambukkana -- some 90 kilometers northeast of Colombo, were protesting at the latest fuel price hike when they clashed with the police.

Scores of protesters teemed the streets and public places of Rambukkana town on Monday.

The demonstration went late into the night.

On Tuesday, the protesters blocked the railway track at Rambukkana.

When they were asked to clear the rail line, they hurled stones at security personnel, police said.

Police Spokesperson Nihal Thalduwa said police issued warnings to the protestors to leave the area.

However, the protestors attempted to set fire to a fuel bowser, as well as a three-wheeler causing damaging to property, Thalduwa was quoted as saying by News 1st channel.

Thalduwa said that the police had opened fire after initially using tear gas to disperse the crowd and bring the situation under control.

One person was killed and 13 others injured in the firing, police said.

The injured were admitted to Kegalle hospital. Four of them are in critical condition, police said.

Fifteen police personnel have been admitted to hospital with minor injuries.

This was the first death due to clash during the ongoing anti-government protests.

Earlier, a rap musician died of a heart attack while attending the protest.

Curfew was imposed in the area following the violence, police said, adding that a number of policemen were also injured in the incident.

The Police Special Task Force (STF) was deployed in the area to control the situation.

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has appointed a three-member team to investigate the incident in Rambukkana. The commission has also called for an emergency meeting on Wednesday.

United Nations Resident coordinator for Sri Lanka Hanaa-Singer Hamdy said she was deeply concerned over the incident in Rambukkana.

'Deeply concerned by reports of harm to protestors in #Rambukkana. Violence by any party involved hinders the rights of all peaceful protestors. Restricting use of force to the minimum extent necessary is vital to protect citizens and their right to exercise fundamental freedoms,' she tweeted.

US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung also condemned the violence and called for a full, transparent investigation into the Rambukkana incident.

'I am deeply saddened by the horrible news coming out of Rambukkana. I condemn any violence - whether against protesters or police - and call for restraint & calm from all sides. A full, transparent investigation is essential & the people's right to peaceful protest must be upheld,' she tweeted.

Sri Lanka is grappling with unprecedented economic turmoil since independence from Britain in 1948.

The crisis is caused in part by a lack of foreign currency, which has meant that the country cannot afford to pay for imports of staple foods and fuel, leading to acute shortages and very high prices.

The island nation is witnessing large-scale protests against the government's handling of the debt-ridden economy -- the worst-ever economic crisis in the country's history.

Protests demanding the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his Sri Lanka Podujana (Peramuna)-led government have intensified as shortages continued and prices soared.

Meanwhile, Minister of Transport Dilum Amunugama said public bus fares have been hiked by 35 per cent.

The minimum bus fare has been raised to Rs 27 from Rs 20. The high fuel cost has also caused a hike in bread prices.

The 450 gm loaf has been raised by Rs 30, a bakery association statement read.

The stock exchange has also been suspended for a week with effect from Monday amidst the economic turmoil.

Moody's Investors Service on Tuesday downgraded Sri Lanka's sovereign rating to Ca from Caa2 with a stable outlook, following a decision by the island to suspend debt payments.

Moody's said the suspension would lead to 'will lead to a series of defaults with the first coupon payments for the government's international bonds coming due today, 18 April 2022'.

'..Moody's assesses that private sector creditor losses stemming from the eventual debt restructuring is likely to be material and exceed the limited levels of loss consistent with the previous Caa2 rating.'

Last week, the Sri Lankan government said it would temporarily default on $35.5 billion in foreign debt as the pandemic and the war in Ukraine made it impossible to make payments to overseas creditors.