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Policeman in hiding citing security threats, politico says he’s not involved
The policeman who was attacked and whose vehicle was set on fire following a dispute with a deputy minister had gone into hiding, because his life was under threat, family sources said.
They said, Sumith Saman was given medical leave and advised to seek further hospital treatment but he has not got himself admitted to hospital due to threats.
The policeman sustained injuries when he was attacked by a gang that later set fire to his vehicle in Bombuwala, Dodgangoda.
He was due to get further treatment at a hospital in the North Central Province, but had not done so after he noticed a motorcyclist following him, the family said..
Although three teams from the police stations of Mirihana, Kalutara and Dodangoda are probing the incident they have not been able to trace those responsible for the attack.
PC Saman in statement to the police said an argument with Deputy Minister Hemal Gunasekara after his driver was issued a spot fine for speeding along the southern expressway may have prompted the attack. He said he was on duty at the Kottawa entry/exit point when the deputy minister abused him verbally.
PC Saman claimed that the CCTV cameras had picked up the incident and he had lodged a complaint immediately after the exchange of words.
He said that the driver of the deputy minister was travelling at 141 kmph which was above the speed limit of 100.
Meanwhile the Mirihana police on Wednesday recorded the statement of Deputy minister Gunasekara. Mr. Gunasekara denied involvement in the attack on the policemen and his vehicle and said that he was willing to co-operate in the investigations to arrest the suspects.
“I have made a complaint against this policeman as he threatened me at the Kottawa entry/exit point,” Mr. Gunasekara told the Sunday Times.
He said he had also complained to President Mahinda Rajapaksa about the incident.
