The death of a fisherman in a shooting by the security forces personnel on protestors in Chilaw has rendered his two children - a nine-year-old girl and a boy aged seven years - helpless.

Their mother is working in Saudi Arabia as a housemaid.

In an attempt to silence the family, a government authority had tried to give a cheque for Rs. 500,000 to the two children last night, but was driven out by people of the area.

Meanwhile, opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has said the government was entirely to blame for the fisherman’s death.

He told a group of UNP activists at a meeting in Dehiwala yesterday (Feb. 15) that the prevailing chaotic situation could have been prevented had a special parliamentary session was held to debate the fuel price hike.