December 22, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka Police have launched an investigation following opposing complaints linked to an alleged confrontation between a police constable and a group that reportedly included a Ratnapura District Member of Parliament representing the National People’s Power (NPP).
In a statement released by the Police Media Division, it was revealed that the incident was first reported at around 8.40 p.m. on December 20. A constable from the Sooriyakanda Police Station, who had just completed his duty and was travelling home, contacted the 119 emergency hotline and lodged a complaint with the Kolonna Police.
He claimed that he had been attacked near the Kalugala Temple by a group led by NPP MP Shantha Pathma Kumara Subasingha, and that his motorcycle had been forcibly taken during the encounter.
Later the same evening, at approximately 10.10 p.m., MP Subasingha himself made a complaint to the Kolonna Police, offering a different account of events. According to his statement, he was travelling in a hired vehicle from Kalugala towards Halwinna when a police constable allegedly obstructed the road by positioning a motorcycle across it. The MP further alleged that the officer stopped the vehicle and attempted to assault him.
Police confirmed that the motorcycle belonging to the constable was later discovered abandoned on the roadway close to the Kalugala Temple and was taken into police custody for further examination.
Following the incident, the injured constable was admitted to Kolonna Hospital and subsequently transferred to Embilipitiya Hospital for further treatment. Medical records reportedly indicated the presence of alcohol on the officer’s breath. Although urine tests did not reveal any narcotic substances, police said arrangements are being made to obtain blood samples, which will be sent to the Government Analyst to determine whether alcohol had been consumed.
Authorities stated that comprehensive investigations into the incident are now under way and are being handled by the Embilipitiya Divisional Crimes Investigation Bureau, operating under the direct supervision of the Senior Superintendent of Police for the Embilipitiya Division.
