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One dead in Sri Lanka shooting as political crisis deepens
COLOMBO, Oct 28, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – One man died and two others were injured
when shots were fired Sunday 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 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-year-old man, died shortly after
being admitted to the Colombo National, hospital spokeswoman Pushpa Soysa
told AFP.
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/1957 hrs