According to the news agency AFP, a legislator from Sri Lanka’s ruling party, Amarakeerthi Athukorala, was found dead outside the capital Colombo on Monday after a clash with anti-government protesters, while dozens were injured elsewhere.
Athukorala allegedly opened fire in Nittambuwa, critically injuring two people who were blocking his car, and was later discovered dead after attempting to take refuge in a nearby building.
The news comes as Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa announced his resignation in the midst of the island nation’s worst economic crisis since independence, which has sparked widespread protests.
“The prime minister has sent the president his letter of resignation,” a source said on condition of anonymity.
The prime minister’s younger brother, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, is the president.
The worst clashes since the crisis began erupted in Colombo on Monday, when supporters of the Rajapaksa family went on the rampage.
Police used tear gas and water cannon and declared an immediate curfew in Colombo, which was later extended to the entire 22-million-strong South Asian island nation.
At least 78 people were injured, according to Pushpa Soysa, a spokesman for the Colombo National Hospital.
The army riot squad was called in to help police, according to officials. Throughout the crisis, soldiers have been deployed to protect fuel and other essential deliveries, but not to prevent clashes.
Since April 9, AFP reporters have reported that scores of Rajapaksa supporters have attacked unarmed protesters camped outside the president’s office on the seafront Galle Face promenade in downtown Colombo.
Several thousand supporters of Mahinda Rajapaksa poured out of his nearby official residence, brought in by buses from rural areas.
Rajapaksa spoke to a crowd of 3,000 supporters at his home, promising to “protect the nation’s interests.”
