News
Fatal shooting of Akmeemana parent in school investigated
The victim Kalutotage Udaya Pradeep Kumara on his wedding day
The Military Police are investigating the shooting incident at a school in Akmeemana last week, when a 39-year-old father of three was shot to death by a soldier on duty.
The soldier is in detention at the 581 Brigade Headquarters in Boosa, Galle, the military spokesman Brig. Sumith Atapattu said.
According to the police, the soldier had been arrested and produced before the Additional Magistrate of Galle, before being handed over to the 581st Brigade’s Commanding Officer.
Because the tragedy took place while Emergency Regulations are in effect, the magistrate has directed the Akmeemana Police to seek the advice of the Attorney General.
The incident had occurred when Kalutotage Udaya Pradeep Kumara, the parent of a pupil of the Upananda Junior School, Manawila in Akmeemana allegedly attempted to forcibly enter the school premises at 12:05 p.m, ignoring orders by the soldier on duty.
According to the police, Mr Pradeed Kumara had been shot while attempting to grab the firearm from the soldier when the soldier prevented him from entering the school.
The wounded man was rushed to Karapitiya Hospital.
Contrary to initial reports, at 9. 45 a.m. the school had handed over his daughter who had fallen sick. The man had arrived at the school gate at 9.45 a.m. and a teacher had handed over his daughter. He had later returned at 12:05 p.m. to pick up his son.
“The grade one students end their classes at 11:45 a.m. and are escorted to the gate by the teachers where they are handed over to parents. Twelve children including Mr Pradeep Kumara’s son was returned to his class with the class teacher as the parents were not present at the gate to pick them up,” said A. W. Hemapala, principal of Upananda Junior School.
The school where the shooting occurred. Pic by Lalith Chaminda
Mr Hemapala said that the man had entered the school premises through the outer perimeter gate and had approached the inner gate near the classrooms disregarding an order.
Police sources claim that a single shot was fired by the soldier. Initial investigations have revealed that the deceased had a single gunshot injury to the front upper abdomen area which had damaged arteries and caused internal bleeding.
The autopsy was performed at the Karapitiya Hospital on July 4.
Mr Pradeep Kumara had previously served in the Sri Lanka Navy and had been a member of its band.