#Rambukkana Shooting: HR Commission tells AG to file criminal action against SSP Keerthiratne

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka has advised the Attorney General to Investigate and file appropriate criminal proceedings against SSP K. B. Keerthiratne with regard to the Rambukkana Shooting.

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka also directed the Inspector General of Police to take disciplinary action against Former SSP for Kegalle K. B. Keerthiratne over the Rambukkana shooting.

The HRCSL in a statement said that the report on the shooting on protestors by police was prepared and is ready.

“Orders to shoot at people who were running away, and not a threat to police is illegal,” said the Human Rights Commission.

THE INCIDENT:

The Rambukkana protests erupted over delayed petrol deliveries and sharp price increases in petrol and diesel announced on Monday, the 18th of April 2022.

On Tuesday, the 19th of April 2022, demonstrators blocked main roads and a railway line.

Police began directing tear gas at thousands of protesters in the afternoon and then suddenly, without warning, opened fire with live rounds.

Chaminda Lakshan, a 40-year-old father of two from Naranbedda, a village near Rambukkana, was shot. He died soon after being admitted to Kegalle hospital.

Earlier, Sri Lanka’s Public Security Minister told Parliament on Friday (22) that preliminary investigations have revealed that Assistant Superintendent of Police C. W. C. Dharmaratne & Senior Superintendent of Police K. B. Keerthiratne had instructed to open fire to control the situation in Rambukkana on the 19th of April 2022.

ARRESTS:

Former SSP for Kegalle K. B. Keerthiratne, and three police contables were in connection to the shooting incident during a protest in Rambukkana, Kegalle.