Sri Lankan MP kills protester, then takes his own life

Sri Lankan MP kills protester, then takes his own life
May 9, 2022, 6:07 pm

Riot police fire tear gas at supporters of Sri Lanka’s ruling party during a clash with anti-government demonstrators, amid the country’s economic crisis, Colombo, Sri Lanka, May 9, 2022. (Reuters)

The Alarabyia English reported, citing the AFP, police in Sril Lanka said on Monday (May 9), a legislator from the country's ruling party shot dead an anti-government protester and then took his own life during a confrontation outside the capital.

Police said that Amarakeerthi Athukorala opened fire and critically wounded two people blocking his car in the town of Nittambuwa. It added that one of the victims died of his injuries.

A police official told AFP by telephone: “The MP fled the scene and took refuge at a nearby building. Thousands surrounded the building and he then took his own life with his revolver.”

The incident came as thousands took to the streets across the curfew-bound island and targeted supporters of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, who has subsequently tendered his resignation.

Supporters of Sri Lanka’s ruling party shout at police during a clash with anti-government demonstrators, amid the country’s economic crisis, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on May 9, 2022. (Reuters)

The Rajapaksa loyalists had earlier in the day destroyed tents and placards of anti-government demonstrators camping outside the official residence of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa since April 9.

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A spokeswoman for the hospital said that in violence in the capital Colombo, at least 138 people were wounded and admitted to the Colombo National Hospital.

Source: alarabyiaenglish

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