Eight Police officers were injured during the unrest awakened upon an attempt to dissolve a public protest in Rambukkana area, Police said.

The total number of people injured during the event is 24, they added.

However, the residents go on a different version to the event saying that they still could hear gunshots after 7 pm.

The Young Journalists Association has also informed the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Secretary to the Ministry in Charge of the Police and political parties that the Police had opened fire again at Rambukkana.

MIAP

The Police opened fire to dissolve the public protest held in Rambukkana, Police Spokesman Nihal Thalduwa admitted.

The protesters who were blocking the railway had attempted to set a fuel bowser and a threewheeler on fire and in the Police’s response to dissolve them by launching tear gas the protesters had pelted stones at them, due to which the Police was forced to open fire, Thalduwa claimed.

One person was killed in the fire and ten people were hospitalised. The condition of three of them are reported to be critical.

MIAP

Suren Raghavan who was recently sworn in as the State Minister of Education Services and Reforms has been dismissed from all titles of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).

The decision to oust Raghavan from all SLFP titles has been taken by former President Maithripala Sirisena in his capacity as the Party Chairman.

Disciplinary actions will also be taken against Raghavan, said SLFP Secretary General Dayasiri Jayasekara.

MIAP

The tense situation occurred in Rambukkana this afternoon has ended up in a shooting, killing one, reports say.

People in Rambukkana have been protesting against the fuel price revision since this morning (19) and the Police have launched a tear gas attack to control the situation.

Protesters have been blocking the main railway line and the tear gas attack was launched to free the railway line, Police said.

But the protesters claimed that the Police opened fire and a controversial footage revealing what they appear to be victims of gunshot wounds being taken away is circulating on Social Media.

Reports claimed that 11 people were admitted to the Kegalle Hospital after the alleged Police shooting at the protest and the condition of four of them were reported to be critical. The death of one was reported thereafter.

MIAP

The prices of all bakery products including bread will soar from midnight today (19) said the All Ceylon Bakery Owners Association.

Accordingly, the price of a loaf of bread will increase by Rs. 30 and other bakery products, by Rs. 10.

MIAP

The Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe criticized  the Sri Lankan Airlines Board for  attempting to lease/buy 22 new aircrafts in parliament today. He said it is a shame for them to get new aircrafts when the country can’t even provide a steady line of oil or gas and medicines to the public. 

We are getting humanitarian aid. Analysts say the Sri Lankan Airlines board consists of crony businessmen and professionals. Some of the professionals on the board are men for all seasons. The board consists of Hans Wijesuriya of Dialog, Jayantha Perera quest destination owner of a travel company, Ashok Pathirege Softlogic , Malik Fernando  Dilmha Tea, Sanjaya Mohottala who was kicked out of BOI by the unions.

There are several allegations against some of them for getting contracts. The board was also responsible for brining Indian tourist that created the 2 nd wave. They were never reprimanded by the government. The Former Prime Minister asked the SriLanksn board to first pay the loans of the state banks back before they bought or leased new aircrafts. He said the country is begging for USD oversees, whilst the board was squandering the valuable USD.

Analysts say the board has no sense of the plight of the public given their dealings with the government and lifestyles. Very soon the president can once again apologize on behalf of the Board to the public. This has become his favorite pastime. Without kicking them out, he is tolerating a board that is totally insensitive to the public cry.

Former prime minister said the worst is yet to come and we need to strengthen parliament for greater oversight to prevent excesses when the public is protesting against rising Cost of Living and lack of essentials.

Observers say because of the free tickets no director will resign. Union sources told us two directors frequently travel on 10% tickets, one Director to UK to see his family and other returns from Singapore to see his parents. Mr President your slip is showing. Wake up before it is too late for you and the country. The time has come to get public officials to compensate with their private wealth for their excesses.

Adolf

The price of a pack of fried rice, koththu and regular rice will soar by 20 per cent in response to the fuel price revision declared yesterday, said Chairman of the Restaurant Owners Association and Consumer Rights Activist Asela Sampath, speaking to a briefing held in Colombo today (19).

The decision has been taken in consideration of protecting both the consumer and the restaurant owner, but no price revision will be made on short-eats, he added.

MIAP

The bus fares will be soared by 35 per cent in response to the increased fuel prices, said Transport Minister Dilum Amunugama.

Accordingly, the minimum bus fare which was Rs. 20 will soar up to Rs. 27.

MIAP