Table of Contents
1.
Context...................................................................................................................3
1.1
Economic crisis prompts island-wide civilian protests.................................................................................3
1.2
A pattern of state violence to peaceful protest...........................................................................................4
1.2.1 State violence on 30 and 31 March 2022.........................................................................................4
1.2.2 State violence on 6 May 2022..........................................................................................................5
1.2.3 State violence on 9 May 2022..........................................................................................................5
1.2.4 Violence against ordinary people challenging unfair fuel distribution............................................6
2.
A close look at police violence against protests in Rambukkana..............................7
2.1
9 April 2022: Civilian protest against fuel price hike and shortage.............................................................7
2.2
Riot police deployed.....................................................................................................................................8
2.3
Tear gas canisters fired.................................................................................................................................8
2.4
Reports of police opening fire......................................................................................................................9
2.5
Initial reports and responses on 19th April 2022......................................................................................10
2.6
Developments on 20 April 2022.................................................................................................................13
2.7
Developments on 21 April 2022.................................................................................................................18
2.8
Developments on 22 April 2022.................................................................................................................20
2.9
Developments on 23 April 2022.................................................................................................................22
2.10
Developments on 27 April 2022.................................................................................................................23
2.11
Developments on 28 April 2022.................................................................................................................24
3.
Domestic and International frameworks protecting the freedom of peaceful assembly
and the right to protest........................................................................................24
4.
Conclusions...........................................................................................................26
2