The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has initiated an inquiry into the death of an SLAF Corporal attached to the Air Force Rugby pool during a crossfire with Police in Padukka this morning.
SLAF Spokesman Group Captain Dushan Wijesinghe told Newswire that the Commander of the Air Force has initiated an inquiry into the incident.
“The SLAF had received information this morning of an incident involving a Corporal who was off-duty. Investigations are ongoing by the Police, while the SLAF has also commenced its own probe into the matter. There is no clear evidence so far to suggest that he was linked to the recent shooting in Horana. The details will be revealed following the completion of the Police and SLAF probes,” he said.
In an earlier statement, the SLAF said it was aware of an incident this morning involving an SLAF corporal attached to the Air Force Rugby pool at a police checkpoint in Padukka, which resulted in his death.
“The Commander of the Air Force has initiated an inquiry into the incident. Preliminary findings point to an exchange of fire between the SLAF corporal (volunteer) and the police officers at the checkpoint. According to the information of Police the injured Corporal, who was off duty, had succumbed to his injuries once hospitalised. The SLAF takes seriously any involvement of its personnel in criminal activity and will work closely with law enforcement agencies to investigate the incident,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, Police Spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa told Newswire that the Police had opened fire at the SLAF corporal at Angamuwa, Padukka as he had defied an order to stop at a checkpoint during a Police-STF operation and had also opened fire at the police.
DIG Thalduwa said that the SLAF corporal was injured in return fire and had died on admission to Padukka Hospital.
The Police Spokesman revealed that the evidence related to the shooting incident that was reported in the Thalagahwila area in Horana last afternoon, in which two persons were killed, had identified the SLAF corporal as the gunman.
“The Police suspected that he was involved in the shooting as evidence had led to him. The Police STF had then launched a probe and visited his residence during which the suspect’s family informed he had not returned home. Anticipating his return, the STF had set up a roadblock on the road leading to his residence during which the suspect had arrived on a motorcycle. Having defied an order to stop at the checkpoint, the suspect had abandoned his motorcycle and had also opened fire at the Police STF in an attempt to escape. The Police had opened fire in return during which the suspect was injured and had succumbed to injuries,” DIG Thalduwa added.
The Police Spokesman further confirmed that the SLAF Corporal was an officer on current duty but had engaged in criminal activities while he was off-duty, adding that he was expected to report to duty this morning. (Newswire)
