Three remanded over attack on Excise officers in Rikillagaskada

Three suspects have been taken into custody in connection with an assault on two Excise Officers in Rikillagaskada town in Hanguranketha last night (22).

Police said that a team of Excise officers had conducted a raid after receiving a tip-off that though all liquor shops had been ordered to close until further notice, a wine stores in Rikillagaskada was issuing liquor to customers surreptitiously at night. 

The officers had been concealed near the location of the wine stores when three individuals who had arrived at the location had assaulted two of the officers and fled. 

The injured officers were admitted to the Rikillagaskada and Kandy hospitals for treatment. Two Rikillagaskada area residents were taken into custody in connection with the attack today (23). On information provided by Excise officers, police also recovered a 12-bore shotgun which the suspects had allegedly been carrying at the time of the attack. 

The two suspects were produced before the Walapane Magistrate's Court. A third suspect wanted in connection with the assault surrendered to court through a lawyer. All three suspects were remanded in custody till April 27. Hanguranketha police are investigating.