Sri Lankan police open fire in Amparai

06 May 2022

A Sri Lankan police officer opened fire as officers clashed with locals in Amparai last night, leaving at least two civilians hospitalised.

As many as 11 Sri Lankan policemen were also reported to have been injured in the incident yesterday evening.

Tensions flared at a police checkpoint at Palamunai, part of the Akkaraipattu Police division, after a motorcyclist was injured as police officers stopped the vehicle on Thursday night.

Crowds began to gather at the police checkpoint as news of the injury broke out through the town, with angry locals complaining of frequent Sri Lankan police brutality. As hundreds of people reportedly arrived, Sri Lankan police presence also stepped up.

Clashes reportedly broke out and at least one officer fired shots.

JDS Lanka also reports that a journalist is amongst those hospitalised.

The condition of those in hospital is still unknown, but the latest incident comes just weeks after a Sinhalese man was killed in Rambukkana last month as police beat back anti-government protests.

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