Internal sources said that the shooting of the protest in Rambukkana yesterday (19) was ordered by SSP K.B. Keerthiratne who is in charge of the Kegalle division and approved by Transport and Industries Minister Dilum Amunugama.
According to police sources, SSP K.B. Keerthiratne is a staunch supporter of Rajapaksa and some reports said that he was an inhumane person.
Protesters had blocked the main railway line from Rambukkana for more than 12 hours yesterday. It is said that SSP K.B. Keerthiratne has repeatedly contacted Transport Minister Dilum Amunugama seeking permission to attack the protesters as the protest was disrupting the transportation.
He has told the Minister that if he saves himself from future problems, he can open this railway line in his own way. Sources said that after obtaining the approval from the minister SSP’s own group had set fire to a three-wheeler and set the stage to open fire the protestors.
One person was killed and 11 others were injured in the shooting. The condition of three of them was reported to be serious.
Following this, President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has contacted Transport Minister Dilum Amunugama and reprimanded him severely in this regard, sources said.
