Constable in revenge mission shot dead

Rasika SOMARATHNA and Suranjith PERERA

A Police constable, who attempted to shoot a female colleague on duty at the Narahenpita Police hostel, was shot dead in confrontation with other officers on Wednesday night. Two female officers sustained serious injuries during the incident.

Police sources said that the male officer who was killed during the incident had gone in search of a Woman Police Constable, on duty at the third floor of the hostel armed with a T-56 rifle and four rounds of magazines around 9.40 pm. After encountering the WPC, a heated argument between the two had taken place, which had finally led to the shooting, sources said.

Another female Sub Inspector who tried to intervene in the incident sustained serious injuries due to the fall from the third floor of the building as she had jumped to escape the wrath of the male constable.

Later the male Constable had been killed due to retaliatory fire as he tried to shoot other officers who had confronted him.

National Hospital Director, Dr. Hector Weerasinghe said two female officers had been admitted to the ICU, one with a gun shot injury to her hand and the other with multiple bone fractures.

While the WPC who sustained a gun shot injury to her hand was considered to be out of danger, the WSIs condition was thought to be more serious.

Police suspect that a love affair might have triggered the incident.

Police Spokesman SSP Ranjith Gunasekera said investigations were on.