Court acquits appellant in police shooting case

Jayantha DE SILVA

The Court of Appeal yesterday set aside the sentence imposed by the Anuradapura High Court on a chena cultivator for discharging a firearm at a policeman and gravely wounding him .

The court acquitted and discharged the accused appellant. The Bench comprised Justices Sarath de Abrew and H Nalin J Perera. The plaintiff stated a five member police team arrived in a vehicle at Palamkulam Anuradhapura area to raid an illicit hooch den. The accused, on spotting the police took to his heels and the police gave chase. In the ensuing melee, PC Saman Sirimanne Wijeratne was shot on his thigh by a trap gun. The suspect was apprehended and sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment in addition to a fine of Rs 25,000.

Senior State Counsel Delipa Pieris appeared for the Attorney General.

Attorney at law Indika Mallwaarachi appeared for the accused appellant.