Colombo, October 28: Bodyguards of Sri Lankan Petroleum Minister Arjuna Ranatunga on Sunday opened fire at a mob, killing at least one person. The shooting took place when a mob, reportedly loyal to President Maithripala Sirisena, tried to abduct Arjuna Ranatunga near head office of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation in Dematagoda.

According to the police, the crow tried to take Arjuna Ranatunga hostage, local media reported. Following the incident, a person attached to the security detail of Ranatunga was arrested.

The incident took place hours after Sri Lankan Parliament’s speaker recognised Ranil Wickremesinghe as the country’s prime minister, saying he has “obtained a mandate to secure democracy and good governance”, in a major relief to the embattled UNP leader who was sacked by President Maithripala Sirisena in a dramatic move on Friday night.

Sirisena on Friday night sacked Wickremesinghe and appointed former strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa as the new prime minister. Next day, Sirisena suspended parliament till November 16 after Wickremesinghe sought an emergency session to prove his majority.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 28, 2018 07:19 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).