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Shots fired as Sri Lanka political crisis escalates
COLOMBO, Oct 28, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Sri Lanka police said two people were
injured Sunday when shots were fired in Colombo, as a constitutional crisis
sparked by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s shock sacking turned
violent.
Bodyguards for Petroleum Minister Arjuna Ranatunga fired live rounds at a
mob loyal to President Maithripala Sirisena after the group tried to take the
cabinet member hostage, police said.
It was the first report of serious violence since Sirisena sacked
Wickremesinghe on Friday and installed former strongman Mahinda Rajapakse as
the new prime minister, triggering political chaos.
BSS/AFP/ARS/1744 hrs