Polonnaruwa District Parliamentarian Amarakeerthi Athukorala and his Personal Security Officer were killed and four others injured during a shooting incident with anti-government supporters.
Police sources said that the shooting had taken place when two protestors had blocked his car.
“However, the Parliamentarian was later found dead after trying to take refuge in a nearby building,” Police sources said. Over 154 persons who sustained injuries following the clashes have been admitted to hospital.
This unruly mob destroyed the tents and stages erected at the site and attacked the peaceful protestors with clubs.
However, the Police dispersed the crowd by using water cannons and tear gas. Later, Sri Lanka Army contingent was called into bring the situation under control. The Sri Lanka Army in a statement said that the Army was deployed in order to assist the Police and control the situation.
Violent clashes erupted in many parts of the country after the protest sites opposite Temple Trees and the Presidential Secretariat were attacked. Sources said that houses of Parliamentarian Sanath Nishantha, former Minister Nimal Lanza, former Minister Ramesh Pathirana, Moratuwa Mayor Saman Lal Fernando, the Kurunegala Office of former Minister Johnston Fernando, former Wallalawita PC Chairman Udeni Athukorala and Self Employees Union President Mahinda Kahadagama were burnt.
Several buses which brought SLPP supporters to Colombo came under attack in many areas in Colombo and elsewhere.
Meanwhile, an islandwide Curfew has been declared until today morning after taking the country’s situation into account, the Police Media Division said. The Police Department yesterday evening said that leave of all officers has been cancelled with immediate effect due to the emergency situation in the country.
The Police media release said that their leave has been directed to their places of duty with immediate effect.
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