Policeman dies within Sri Lanka's parliament complex

Colombo, Nov 9 (UNI) A police constable died with gun shot injuries within the heavily-guarded Sri Lanka's parliament complex yesterday, exactly a day before the legislators were due to begin the annual debate on the national budget for next year, police sources said last night.

According to the sources, the injured policeman was taken to a near-by hospital where he succumbed to his abdominal injuries.

An investigation has been carried out to determine if it was an accidental discharge of firearm or a suicide, police sources said giving no further details.

It was only on Wednesday that President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is also the Minister of Finance and Defence, unveiled the budget for the financial year 2008 in the 225-member parliament amidst tight security.

Photo journalists attached to the private media institutions have complained that the authorities did not allow them to cover the unveiling of annual budget by the President on Wednesday for unknown reasons.

UNI