Police use tear gas on opposition demo in Sri Lanka's capital

Feb 17, 2012, 12:50 GMT

Colombo - Police fired tear gas and used water cannon at an opposition demonstration in Sri Lanka's capital Colombo Friday against an increase of fuel prices that is pushing up the cost of living, officials said.

Parliamentary opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and members of his United National Party (UNP) staged the demonstration outside Colombo's main railway station late Friday.

An estimated 2,500 demonstrators tried to march towards the president's office when the police and Special Task Force (STF) units confronted them with tear gas and water cannon, after blocking the road with iron barricades.

'The protestors are seated across the road and the police is trying to disperse them,' said UNP legislator Hareen Fernando, who was taking part in the demonstration.

The protest came a day after police fired at fishermen demonstrating over the increased fuel prices, killing one and injuring eight, in the north-western coastal town of Chilaw.

On Sunday, Sri Lanka introduced one of the biggest fuel price hikes in the country's history, raising diesel prices by 35 per cent and Kerosene by 50 per cent. Bus fares immediately increased by 20 per cent.

The government offered concessions Friday to low-income groups who widely use kerosene for lamps in the absence of electricity, and a relief package for three-wheel vehicles, which provide low-cost transport.