A Sri Lankan lawmaker who shot dead an anti-government protestor this week was later lynched by a mob, a forensic report showed on Friday, contradicting a police report that he died by suicide Was.
As violence erupted in the country, Amarakirthi Athukorla opened fire on people blocking the way to his car in Nittambuva town on Monday when a gang of government loyalists attacked peaceful protesters.
Police said Athukorla tried to take shelter in a building and shot himself after being surrounded by around 5,000 people.
For the latest headlines, follow our Google News Channel online or through the app.
“The MP died of multiple injuries, fractures and internal bleeding, but he had no bullet wounds,” Lankadipa newspaper quoted the autopsy report as saying.
The report said that Athukorla’s police bodyguard died of bullet injuries. The police have been ordered to investigate and find out who fired the shots.
Their cars were surrounded by a large crowd that took to the streets after attacking a peaceful protest demanding the resignation of the government over Sri Lanka’s painful economic crisis.
The prime minister, Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was accused by protesters of plotting violence, resigned soon after. He was later forced to flee the capital Colombo, taking shelter at a naval base.
A total of nine people were killed in incidents related to the unrest, while at least 225 were injured and hospitalized.
An overnight curfew is still in place across Sri Lanka.
Read more:
Sri Lanka opposition, protesters vow to continue anti-government campaign
Sri Lanka bans former PM, allies from leaving the country
UN condemns escalating violence in Sri Lanka
