Monk strangles police officer

COLOMBO (News 1^st) - A Buddhist monk residing at a temple in Galenda, Kospelawinna in Ratnapura strangled and killed a Police Sergeant who visited the Temple on official duties. According to reports, the Ratnapura Magistrate's Court had issued two warrants against the monk in relation to two crimes. The Police Sergeant had visited the area on Tuesday (July 10) to obtain information in order to compile a report with regard to the warrants, that were scheduled to be produced before the court tomorrow (July 11). A high ranking officer at the Ratnapura Police said that the Police Sergeant had died after being strangled by the monk following a heated argument which had broken out when a statement was being taken. He added that the monk had also attempted to hurl a hand grenade at a team of Police officers including the OIC of Ratnapura Police when they went to arrest him. The monk who sustained injuries during the incident was later hospitalized.