Investigations into expressway reckless driving case: Police

COLOMBO (News 1st): Sri Lanka Police have launched investigations with regard to video footage circulating on social media depicting the neglectful and highly reckless manner of driving by a group along the expressway. "The video footage depicts the passengers having lowered the shutters and sitting on the doors facing each other from either side of the vehicle, which is an offence committed under the Penal Code with regard to wrongful restraint and causing disturbance to other motorists," Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana told News 1st on Monday (Apr. 12). Based on Sri Lankan law, such video footage are admissible as evidence, he emphasized. The driver and the four passengers had also committed the offence of unlawful assembly under the National Thoroughfares Act, DIG Ajith Rohana further noted. According to the Deputy Police Chief, it was revealed that the driver of the car had committed various offences such as reckless and neglectful driving. However, according to Police, the registered owner and the current owner of the vehicle in question is not the same. "Based on preliminary investigations, the owner of the vehicle was identified as a resident of Peradeniya Road, Kandy, and the vehicle was registered on 13th March 2015. However, according to the registered owner, the vehicle was sold to a resident of Udaweliketiya, Akurana of the Alawathugoda Police area," Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana told News 1st on Monday (Apr. 12). Thereby, DIG Ajith Rohana emphasized the importance of completing the legal paperwork pertaining to the transfer of the vehicle to the second party. The suspects have been summoned to the Highway Traffic Headquarters on Monday (Apr. 12). Further investigations are underway.