The police constable attached to the Suriyakanda Police Station has been suspended from service following allegations that he assaulted National People’s Power (NPP) Ratnapura District Parliamentarian Shantha Padmakumara.
Police said that the suspension has been implemented pending the completion of further investigations into the incident.
The Constable was arrested following reports of a clash with the MP and later released on bail.
According to the Police, the Constable had earlier lodged a complaint claiming he was assaulted near the Kalugala Temple on December 20 by NPP MP Shantha Pathma Kumara and a group accompanying him, and that his motorcycle had been taken.
However, later the same night, MP Shantha Pathma Kumara lodged a separate complaint, alleging that the Constable had obstructed his cab using a motorcycle and had attempted to assault him.
The Constable was admitted to hospital after the incident, during which medical observations recorded the smell of alcohol on his breath. Police said urine samples obtained from the Constable showed no traces of narcotics, while blood samples have been forwarded to the Government Analyst’s Department to determine the presence of alcohol.
Soon after, the Constable was arrested over the incident, on three charges, including wrongful obstruction.
