Accidental discharge of firearm in Hungama claims the life of young monk

COLOMBO (News 1st):- A Thero passed away after a gun misfired during an altercation that broke out in the process of arresting a suspect in Hungama. The incident was reported from Deniyapara, Hungama at around 11:00 am today (January 19). Two Police Officers who were patrolling the Deniyapara area under the Hungama Police Division this morning had ordered a suspicious motorcyclist to pull over. However, the Police said the motorcyclist did not stop heeding police orders and a fight broke out after the two police officers chased the motorcycle and tried to apprehend the rider near the Bolatiyana junction. While attempting to arrest the motorcyclist, a firearm belonging to one Police Officer accidentally discharged injuring, one Thero who was travelling in a van that was carrying 8 Theros. According to the Police, the Thero has passed away after being admitted to the Angunakolapelessa divisional hospital. At the time of his demise, Venerable Unawatune Seelarathana Thero was 22 years. According to our correspondent, the Thero was a first-year student at the Buddhist and Pali University in Homagama and was on his way to the University this evening. The suspect who tried to flee has been arrested and according to the Police, information has been surfaced that the suspect engages in heroin smuggling. Further investigations regarding the incident are being carried out by Assistant Police Superintendent of the Tangalle Police Division Rathnaweera L. Adassooriya.