Father-in-law shoots down cop son-in-law

By Dayaratne Embogama   

A police constable had been shot dead with an air rifle in the early hours of yesterday morning by his father-in-law.   

 The victim, Kariyapperuma Mudiyanselage Mahinda Nawarathe Bandara (57) of Galenbindunuwewa, who had been attached to Galkiriyagama Police was under interdiction for assaulting his wife and father-in-law. The case against him in connection with the alleged assault was pending.   

 Police said he had been charged with domestic violence and ordered by court not to visit his wife living at her father’s house.   

 However, in the early hours of yesterday morning, he had called over at their house and attempted to assault her with a hatchet. His father-in-law, who intervened to save her, had shot the PC point-blank with an air rifle, causing him serious injuries.   

 He was rushed to Galenbindunuwewa Hospital by the 1990 Ambulance Service, only to be pronounced dead. His 77-year-old father-in-law was arrested in connection with the shooting, and his air rifle was seized.   

Actg. OIC Galenbindunuwewa Police SI T.N.Karunaratne is conducting further investigations.