Remains of Sri Lanka worker killed in protest buried

Remains of Sri Lanka worker killed in protest buried

2011-06-05 00:04:07 GMT+7 (ICT)

COLOMBO (BNO NEWS) -- The remains of the Sri Lankan factory worker who died following injuries sustained during a clash between workers and police officers were buried on Saturday amid heavy security, the Colombo Page reported.

Sri Lankan army soldiers enforced heavy security during the funeral of 21-year-old Roshen Shanaka at the Galoluwa Church cemetery in Minuwangoda, about 25 miles (40 km) northeast of Colombo. A group of forces personnel and a few family members tried to bury the body hours before the scheduled time in an attempt to conclude the funeral before large crowds gathered. However, the funeral arrangements were carried out as previously planned.

On Monday, Shanaka received gunshot injuries during a protest in Katunayake Free Trade Zone against the government proposed pension scheme for private sector. He succumbed to his injuries at the Ragama Hospital on Wednesday evening.

Sri Lankan chief of police on Wednesday submitted his resignation following the clashes. He took responsibility for the police exceeding their powers in the clash between the police and Free Trade Zone workers where over 300 persons were injured.

An inspector and a sub inspector were arrested under suspicion of creating the clashes. Police used tear gas and fired rubber bullets to disperse the crowd, while factory workers retaliated with stones.

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