On April 20th, 2022, people walk past a burnt three-wheeler in Rambukkana, a day after police killed an anti-government demonstrator while dispersing a protest. ISHARA S. KODIKARA AFP COLOMBO Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Wednesday promised an impartial and transparent investigation into the clash between protesters and police in Rambukkana during which one person was killed and 24 others were injured.
In a statement, Rajapaksa said that the right of the Sri Lankan citizens to peacefully protest will not be hindered and an impartial and transparent inquiry will be carried out.
The president said that he was deeply saddened by the violence and urged citizens to refrain from violence as they protested.
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said he was deeply distressed after the tragedy and he had every confidence that a strict and impartial investigation would be launched.
Nihal Thalduwa, a police spokesman, told reporters that the police opened fire on Tuesday after a tense situation in Rambukkana, about 95 km from the capital, Colombo.
Following the clashes, a curfew was imposed in the area.