Sri Lanka Police have handed over Rs. 1 million in compensation to the family of the lorry driver who was killed in the shooting incident in Narammala.
Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP) handed over the money to the bereaved at the deceased’s residence in Alawwa.
The lorry driver, 40, was killed on Thursday night (Jan.18) after a police officer in civvies ‘accidentally’ discharged his firearm during a vehicle inspection. He was identified as a resident of Alawita area.
The police media division said the driver had failed to comply with the signal to stop at a checkpoint in Dampelessa, Narammala.
A Sub-Inspector (SI) and a Constable had then chased down the lorry and pulled it over for a spot inspection. The SI had allegedly ‘accidentally’ discharged his firearm, critically wounding the driver, who was rushed to the Narammala District Hospital, but succumbed to injuries shortly after.
Meanwhile, a heated situation was reported in front of the Narammala police station following the incident after the enraged family and relatives of the deceased and the area residents staged a protest.
The SI in question was subsequently arrested and remanded until January 23 on the orders of Narammala Magistrate’s Court.
