New details have emerged regarding the incident in which police officers opened fire at a van that was being driven without authorization in the Ratmalana area yesterday (25).
According to reports, the van had departed from Suwarapola, Piliyandala around 5:25 p.m. and was traveling via Katubedda, Moratuwa, when traffic officers attached to the Western South Traffic Division signaled it to stop.
However, the driver failed to comply and continued driving, prompting officers to open fire at the front and rear wheels of the vehicle near the Belekkade Junction in Ratmalana. Despite the warning shots, the van continued to move forward.
The chase ended when the van was finally stopped in front of the Ratmalana Railway Station, where the driver attempted to flee on foot. During the attempt, he fell and sustained injuries near the mouth, following which he was admitted to the Kalubowila Hospital by the 1990 Ambulance Service.
The driver was subsequently taken into custody, and preliminary investigations revealed that he is a tourist transport driver residing in the Galkiriyagama area. The registered owner of the van has been identified as a resident of Wellampitiya.
Police further reported that the van had collided with several other vehicles along its route from Piliyandala to Ratmalana.
The police officers involved in the operation were identified as B.A.D.L. Jayasena and T. Sumith Kumara.
