HRCSL reveals decision to open fire in Rambukkana was without IGP’s direction

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) yesterday revealed that the decision to fire live ammunition in Rambukkana on Tuesday was taken outside the direction of the Inspector General of Police (IGP).

This was disclosed when IGP C.D. Wickramaratne and a group of senior Police officers were summoned before the HRCSL yesterday to make statements regarding the Rambukkana incident earlier this week.

As per HRCSL Commissioner Nimal Karunasiri, the IGP has been instructing the Police not to use firearms in any protest for months. 

However, the Police officers on site had resorted to live ammunition in Rambukkana to disperse protesters. 

Karunasiri said the Police had decided to take disciplinary action in this regard, while the HRCSL too was informed in the recent processes.

“The IGP agreed that security forces will not act in a violent manner with regard to any protest in the future,” the Commissioner said.

He added that the IGP had agreed to provide all the details regarding the recent incident to the Commission and to implement the recommendations of the HRCSL accordingly.