Police officer on traffic duty knocked down to death

By Sanath Gamage and Dilip Jayasekara   

A police constable and a civil security constable on traffic duty in Ambalanthota town had been knocked down by a car when they signaled to halt.   

The injured police officer who was rushed to Ambalanthota General Hospital succumbed to his injuries on admission. The civil security constable was admitted to Ambalanthota Divisional Hospital.   

The deceased PC 82615 M.Sarath Kumara, attached to Ambalanthota Police and the civil security constable had been on duty at the traffic checkpoint near Ambalanthota bridge in the early hours of last morning. When they signaled the speeding car to halt, the driver had knocked them down and sped away.   

PC Sarath Kumara, father of two children, was a resident of Suriyawewa. He had been transferred to Embilipitiya Police with effect from January 03, and the officers of Ambalantota Police were to accord him a farewell party yesterday.   

Hambantota SP Aruna Lal said the vehicle involved in the incident was seized and two individuals who had been on board at the time of the incident were arrested. He said the two suspects were under the influence of liquor.   

Ambalanthota Police are conducting further investigations.