Fresh turmoil in Sri Lanka
Two others hurt after minister’s bodyguards fire at Pro-Sirisena mob
Political rift worsens as one killed and two others injured in first reported violence.
COLOMBO: One man died and two others were injured when shots were fired in Sri Lanka, as a constitutional crisis over the shock sacking of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe turned violent.
Bodyguards for Petroleum Minister Arjuna Ranatunga fired live rounds yesterday as a mob loyal to Sri Lanka’s president besieged the Cabinet member in his office, police said.
One of those shot in the melee, a 34-yearold man, died shortly after being admitted to the Colombo National, hospital spokesman Pushpa Soysa said.
It was the first report of serious violence since President Maithripala Sirisena sacked Wickremesinghe on Friday and installed former strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa as the new prime minister, triggering political chaos.
Wickremesinghe has refused to vacate the prime minister’s official residence since being controversially deposed, declaring his dismissal illegal and demanding an emergency session of parliament to prove he still commands a majority.
Over 1,000 supporters and loyalists, including chanting Buddhist monks, massed outside the colonial-era residence in Colombo where a defiant Wickremesinghe has been holding crisis talks with allies.
Elsewhere his successor Rajapaksa, a for- mer president, sought blessings at a temple ahead of naming a new Cabinet, as he jostles to consolidate his claim to the prime ministership.
Officials loyal to Rajapaksa said police will now seek a court order to evict Wickremesinghe from the residence, threatening to escalate the standoff.
Regional neighbours and Western nations have urged all sides to exercise restraint and respect the constitution.
Soldiers had been stationed near the prime minister’s residence – although his security and official cars were withdrawn on Saturday – but the shooting at the petroleum ministry was the first reported instance of violence breaking out.
Embattled Wickremesinghe received a boost yesterday as Sri Lanka’s parliamentary speaker Karu Jayasuriya refused to endorse his sacking.
The speaker backed the ousted prime minister’s request to retain his privileges and security until another candidate could prove a majority, saying it was “democratic and fair”.
Wickremesinghe called for a vote in parliament to prove his right to hold office – but instead Sirisena shut parliament for nearly three weeks to forestall any challenge against Rajapaksa’s appointment. — AFP