At approximately 1730 local time (1200 UTC) on 19 April 2022, police officers deployed tear gas and fired live ammunition during clashes with protesters in the central town of Rambukkana — located approximately 70 km (45 mi) northeast of Colombo — amid anti-government demonstrations calling for the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Protesters were reportedly blocking a rail crossing and attempting to set fire to a vehicle when the clashes with police officers occurred. According to local reports, at least one person was killed and approximately 24 others were injured — including eight police officers