Two killed in police shooting at Moragahahena

Two persons have been killed after police opened fire on a three-wheeler that allegedly defied an order to stop at Moragahahena in the early hours of today (23). 

Police Media Unit said shots had also been fired at police by the occupants in the vehicle, prompting officers to return fire. 

Police officers on duty at the Beraketiya Junction in Meegoda had initially signalled for the three-wheeler to stop, but the occupants had continued on defying the order to stop and had also opened fire on towards the officers, Police Media Unit claimed. 

Officers at the roadblock had then conveyed the message to police stations in the area. Accordingly, officers from the Western Province South Crime Investigation Division on duty at Moragahahena Police Division had acted on the information and had signalled for the three-wheeler to stop. However, the vehicle had proceeded without stopping, which had led to a chase that ultimately ended with the three-wheeler skidding off the road. As the police jeep that had been chasing the three-wheeler came near, it had allegedly been fired upon by a person inside the three-wheeler.

Officers inside the jeep had returned fire and had struck two persons who were inside. They were admitted to Horana Hospital with gunshot wounds but died of their injuries. 

One of the deceased persons was identified as a 36-year-old resident of Mattegoda. Police claimed he has an extensive criminal record, is a deserter from the army and is registered as an Island Reconvicted Criminal. 

The other deceased person is a 42-year-old resident of Thanamalvila who was temporarily living in Mattegoda. He also has a lengthy criminal record and had been released on bail on March 18 this year after being arrested over the shooting of a businessman's house in Kandana in August, last year. 

A gun allegedly used by the deceased suspects to fire at police had also been found lying near the three-wheeler. Moragahahena Police are conducting further investigations.