<p>A Sri Lankan court on Wednesday ordered the arrest of police officers involved in the death of a protester after the police opened fire at unarmed anti-government protesters demonstrating against the fuel price hike in the southwestern region of Rambukkana.</p>.<p>A 41-year-old father of two was killed and 13 others were injured on April 19 when police opened fire on residents of Rambukkana - some 90 kilometres northeast of Colombo, who were protesting against the fuel price hike. It was the first death during the ongoing protests over the worst-ever economic crisis in the country's history. Fifteen police personnel also sustained injuries.</p>.<p>Magistrate Vasana Navaratne in the southwestern town of Kegalle ordered the arrest of the police hierarchy who had ordered the firing.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/opinion/sri-lanka-lessons-from-a-divided-nation-1104339.html" target="_blank">Sri Lanka: Lessons from a divided nation</a></strong></p>.<p>The angry residents had lined up for refuelling at a local fuel station and were protesting over the non-availability of fuel. When the fuel did arrive many hours later, the protesters were accused of blocking the main railway line and attempting to set afire a bowser which carried fuel.</p>.<p>The police had then used tear gas and opened fire at the protesters.</p>.<p>Wednesday's order from the magistrate came after the deceased's post-mortem report was submitted in the court which said the victim had died of gunshot injuries.</p>.<p>At least three senior local police officers were transferred out of the district following the incident where the police was accused of tampering evidence.</p>.<p>Following the shooting, a curfew was imposed in the area for several days with troops being deployed to maintain peace leading to the victim’s funeral.</p>.<p>Mass anti-government protests demanding the resignation of the entire Rajapaksa family have been going on for more than two weeks.</p>.<p>Debt-ridden Sri Lanka is grappling with an unprecedented economic turmoil since its independence from Britain in 1948. The crisis is caused in part by a lack of foreign currency, which has meant that the country cannot afford to pay for imports of staple foods and fuel, leading to acute shortages and very high prices.</p>.<p><strong>Watch the latest DH Videos here:</strong></p>
<p>A Sri Lankan court on Wednesday ordered the arrest of police officers involved in the death of a protester after the police opened fire at unarmed anti-government protesters demonstrating against the fuel price hike in the southwestern region of Rambukkana.</p>.<p>A 41-year-old father of two was killed and 13 others were injured on April 19 when police opened fire on residents of Rambukkana - some 90 kilometres northeast of Colombo, who were protesting against the fuel price hike. It was the first death during the ongoing protests over the worst-ever economic crisis in the country's history. Fifteen police personnel also sustained injuries.</p>.<p>Magistrate Vasana Navaratne in the southwestern town of Kegalle ordered the arrest of the police hierarchy who had ordered the firing.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/opinion/sri-lanka-lessons-from-a-divided-nation-1104339.html" target="_blank">Sri Lanka: Lessons from a divided nation</a></strong></p>.<p>The angry residents had lined up for refuelling at a local fuel station and were protesting over the non-availability of fuel. When the fuel did arrive many hours later, the protesters were accused of blocking the main railway line and attempting to set afire a bowser which carried fuel.</p>.<p>The police had then used tear gas and opened fire at the protesters.</p>.<p>Wednesday's order from the magistrate came after the deceased's post-mortem report was submitted in the court which said the victim had died of gunshot injuries.</p>.<p>At least three senior local police officers were transferred out of the district following the incident where the police was accused of tampering evidence.</p>.<p>Following the shooting, a curfew was imposed in the area for several days with troops being deployed to maintain peace leading to the victim’s funeral.</p>.<p>Mass anti-government protests demanding the resignation of the entire Rajapaksa family have been going on for more than two weeks.</p>.<p>Debt-ridden Sri Lanka is grappling with an unprecedented economic turmoil since its independence from Britain in 1948. The crisis is caused in part by a lack of foreign currency, which has meant that the country cannot afford to pay for imports of staple foods and fuel, leading to acute shortages and very high prices.</p>.<p><strong>Watch the latest DH Videos here:</strong></p>