SLAF Corporal killed in shootout with police

A Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) Corporal was killed in an alleged exchange of fire with Police and Special Task Force (STF) personnel in Angamuwa, Padukka in the early hours of today (8). 

Police said the deceased, who was on a motorbike, had defied an order to stop at a checkpoint during a police and STF operation in the area. He had allegedly also opened fire on police and STF personnel at the checkpoint, prompting them to return fire. 

The SLAF member was struck by gunfire from police and seriously injured. He succumbed on admission to the Padukka Hospital. 

Police also added that the deceased SLAF member is suspected to be the gunmen who was involved in yesterday's shooting incident at Moragahahena that left two people dead. 

Meanwhile, issuing a statement, SLAF Spokesman Group Captain Dushan Wijesinghe stated that the SLAF is aware of an incident this morning involving an SLAF Corporal attached to the Air Force Rugby pool at a police checkpoint in Padukka, which has resulted in his death. 

He added that the SLAF Commander has initiated an inquiry into the incident. Preliminary findings point to an exchange of fire between the SLAF corporal (volunteer) and the police officers who were at the check-point. According to the information from Police the injured Corporal who was off duty, had succumbed to his injuries once hospitalised, the statement said. 

"The SLAF take seriously any involvement of its personnel in criminal activity, and will work closely with law enforcement agencies to investigate the incident," the spokesman added.