Public Security Minister defends Police action

Public Security Minister Prasanna Ranatunga today defended the Police action in Rambukkana where one person was killed and several others sustained injuries.

Speaking in Parliament today, Ranatunga said that the Police took action to prevent a serious issue.

Ranatunga claimed that the Samagi Jana Balawegaya was involved in some of the protests seen in the country yesterday (Tuesday).

He said that the protesters in Rambukkana had blocked traffic and set fire to a three-wheeler.

The Minister said that the Police used the powers granted to them under the law to disperse the protesters when they allegedly attempted to set fire to a fuel truck.

He said that if the mob set fire to the truck there would not be a Rambukkana today.

The Public Security Minister said the Police opened fire after taking every effort to control the situation.

He said that a special investigation has now been launched into the incident.

The Minister said that the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka is also investigating the incident.

The Police opened fire on a group of protesters in Rambukkana yesterday killing one person and injuring a number of others.

Police Spokesman, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Nihal Thalduwa said that the Police had opened fire after initially using tear gas.

He said that the Police had opened fire when the protesters had attempted to set fire to a fuel truck.

According to the Police, the protesters had blocked the railway track and protested in the area for several hours.

The Police had advised the protesters to cleat the tracks but the request was rejected.

According to the Police, the protesters had then set fire to a three-wheeler and attempted to set fire to the fuel truck.

The Police had opened fire on the protesters killing one person and injuring at least 24 others.

The Police media unit said that a number of policemen were also injured in the incident.

The Police Special Task Force (STF) was deployed in the area to try and control the situation.?(Colombo Gazette)