Police Appoints ASP to Probe Fatal Police Shooting in Welikanda

COLOMBO (News 1st): Sri Lanka Police has appointed an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) to conduct further investigations into the death of a man following a police shooting in Welikanda.

Police confirmed that the firearm used in the incident has been taken into police custody.

Police added that two other individuals affiliated with the deceased invidivual, who fled the scene later, have been identified, and steps are being taken to arrest them.

According to police, the shooting occurred at around 6 p.m. yesterday when an individual allegedly attempted to attack officers with a sharp weapon in the Welikanda area. 

The injured individual was admitted to the Welikanda Hospital and later succumed to his injuries.

Police added that the shooting was carried out taking into consideration the personal safety of the officers involved.

Prior to the incident, police had followed a motorcycle that had allegedly ignored orders to stop. 

According to Police, three individuals were on the motorcycle, and two of them had fled the scene. The remaining individual is reported to have entered his house, taken a sharp weapon, and attempted to attack the police officers, leading to the shooting.

The deceased was a 27-year-old resident of Welikanda. Police confirmed that the deceased individual has been involved in drug trafficking activities.