Sri Lankan police, protesters clash over high fuel prices

In Sri Lanka, police forces have used tear gas and water cannons against demonstrators protesting in the capital Colombo over a hike in fuel prices. The police officers were trying to disperse thousands of angry protesters who were attempting to gain entry to the presidential palace. Protesters ripped and burned posters of President Mahinda RajaPaksa and threw stones at police officers. Sri Lanka has been witnessing protests since last week when the government suddenly increased its fuel prices due to a rise in world-wide prices. The country’s official opposition group the United National Party has organized the recent protests. As a result of the growing fuel prices, bus fares and other costs have increased overnight.