Police fire live rounds at protesters in Sri Lanka, causing curfew

On Wednesday, Sri Lanka police in central town of Rambukkana enforced a curfew after anti-government rallies devolved into violence and cops shot live rounds at protestors, killing one and injured hundreds more.

People across Sri Lanka have held protests since last month, demanding the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa due to increasing inflation, blocked imports of gasoline, medications, and food, and hours of daily power shortages.

An anti-government activist was slain Tuesday in Rambukkana as police attempted to disperse a throng. Around 30 others were wounded when law enforcement officers opened fire on them.

Nihal Thalduwa, the police spokesperson, told local media that officers resorted to violence because “the situation could not be managed.”

Authorities announced an investigation on whether police used excessive force in response to public outrage.

According to Nihal Chandrasiri, monitoring director at the Sri Lankan Human Rights Commission, a team of investigators was promptly dispatched to Rambukkana.

“The team will look into who authorized the shooting and under what conditions live ammo was used,” he added. “We will talk with all parties involved — police officers, protestors, and journalists reporting the incident,” he continued.

Protests have erupted around the country in the aftermath of the tragedy.

In front of the presidential office in Colombo, demonstrators paid a quiet homage to the deaths.

President Rajapaksa responded to Twitter to express his “deep sadness” over the shooting and to assure the public that police “will conduct an unbiased and transparent investigation.”

The Rambukkana brawl was the first fatality since the national protests began.

It comes as Sri Lankan officials prepare to meet with representatives from the International Monetary Fund to discuss an emergency rescue scheme. The 22 million-strong island nation is experiencing its biggest economic crisis since gaining independence in 1948 and is on the verge of defaulting on its obligations.

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