A 41-year-old resident of Divulapitiya has been arrested following a violent incident in the Katunayake police area, during which he allegedly assaulted a police officer, snatched their service weapon, and subsequently shot another officer while fleeing the scene. The arrest was carried out by a special operations team from the Negombo Divisional Criminal Investigation Bureau, who apprehended the suspect in the Divulapitiya area.
Upon his arrest, police recovered the stolen service weapon and a motorcycle that had been forcibly taken by the suspect. Further investigations revealed that the suspect is a former member of the Civil Security Force, having served in the Katunayake City Security Division between 2008 and 2010. Additionally, during the arrest, authorities found the suspect in possession of 31 grams of "Ice" (methamphetamine).
The two police officers injured during the altercation were promptly hospitalised for treatment; the officer who sustained gunshot wounds was admitted to the Negombo Hospital, while the officer assaulted during the struggle was admitted to the Minuwangoda Hospital.
