Police say drivers involved in fatal accidents to be charged with murder

29 July 2020 11:47 pm - 16 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Cases would be filed against the drivers who cause fatal accidents due to negligence and reckless driving under murder charges in future, the Police said today.

Director Police Legal Division SSP Ruwan Gunasekara said they would file murder charges after consulting the Attorney General.

He said section 294 fourth limb of the Penal Code has clear provision to file murder charges against such individuals.

SSP Gunasekara made these remarks after appearing in the Nugegoda Magistrate’s Court over the case in which a soldier was killed and two others were injured in a fatal accident on the Nugegoda flyover.

The accident occurred when a private bus arriving on the opposite lane crashed with an army cab when the bus tried to overtake another bus on the flyover on July 20.

SSP Gunasekara said the Acting IGP ordered the Police to conduct an investigation into the accident and take maximum action against the driver.

According to the fourth limb of the 294 of Penal Code, “If the person committing the act knows that it is so imminently dangerous that it must in all probability cause death, or such bodily injury as is likely to cause death, and commits such act without any excuse for incurring the risk of causing death or such injury as aforesaid”..(Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya)

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Comments - 16

Kumar, Lawyer Thursday, 30 July 2020 01:06 AM

Mr Policeman, Intentionally Killing is defined as Murder, Intention only to harm but results in death is defined as Manslaughter, and all other violent deaths come under either Negligence or Accidental.

Mohamed Thursday, 30 July 2020 03:24 AM

It's better to educate the public first - Not to hide and catch - Country like Australia - Red light and speed light warning is displayed prior to the catching point so the driver slow down and thus eliminate disaster whereas in our country let it happen and then earn money

Kapila Senaratne Thursday, 30 July 2020 06:18 AM

I thought Laws got to be written and legalize through the parliament.

Joshua Thursday, 30 July 2020 07:19 AM

Does it apply Ratwattes??

Mm Thursday, 30 July 2020 07:39 AM

Does this apply to the big shot names or only to the poor man ?

Pukka Sahib Thursday, 30 July 2020 10:04 AM

If Sec.4/Para 294 of penal code already has the provision, why don't you act now, not future? Kusal Mendis drove in the wrong lane and killed a man.

TJ Thursday, 30 July 2020 10:36 AM

You mean a second degree murder?

Shehan Thursday, 30 July 2020 10:56 AM

This ammendnent is long due.

ConfusedAF Thursday, 30 July 2020 11:05 AM

But it's not going to apply for politician's sons and other high profile people right?

Wije Thursday, 30 July 2020 11:13 AM

All the talking is Drama only , lawyers will fight

Eichmann Bernhard Thursday, 30 July 2020 11:14 AM

A traffic accident is not a murder.

Dhammika Thursday, 30 July 2020 11:18 AM

What about the recent past , ONLY in future ! . THE PAST THAT DID HAPPEN TO US IS AS CLEAR THE FUTURE WE DO NOT YET SEE . ( ABRAHAM LINCOLN )

Shawn Thursday, 30 July 2020 11:20 AM

You cannot charge a man for murder for an accident. It has be defined as manslaughter.

Dilhan Timothy Thursday, 30 July 2020 01:03 PM

Should pass a fine gazette to bus drivers separately.

dickie bird Thursday, 30 July 2020 06:50 PM

What is the status of the Ratwatte who ran over a cop and Kusal mendis who ranover a cyclist? Its not murder, its a rash and negligent act not amounting to murder. However, there is a maximum punishment for that. These drivers liscence must be cancelled for life and forced to pay at least Rs. 10m compensation per victim and meet all medical bills.

VJ Thursday, 30 July 2020 07:05 PM

This reminds me we are in Sri Lanka, a country like no other.

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Police say drivers involved in fatal accidents to be charged with murder

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