Sannanurani shooting: Police constable to be produced in court

COLOMBO (News 1st): The Police Constable arrested for shooting a tipper truck driver in Sannanurani of the Batticaloa Police area will be produced at the Batticaloa Magistrate's Court on Tuesday (Jun. 22), Sri Lanka Police said. "Sri Lanka Police NEVER approve this type of conduct and behaviour of police officers. We are taking stern action against the police constable under the Police Disciplinary Code and the provisions of Criminal Law," Police Spokesperson Senior DIG Ajith Rohana stressed on Tuesday (Jun. 22). Police have recorded five statements in connection with the incident; the magisterial inquest and the autopsy will also be conducted today (22), the Police Spokesperson noted. A tipper driver identified as 35-year-old Mahalingam Balasundaram, a resident of Barber Road, Sannanurani in the Batticaloa Police area was shot by a police constable attached to State Minister S. Viyalendran on Monday (Jun. 21). The incident occurred at around 5:10 PM on Monday (21) near the State Minister's residence. Based on investigations conducted into the incident, it was revealed that a dispute had arisen between the deceased and the police constable several days ago and the murder was the result of the dispute.