COLOMBO (News 1st) – An alert tool booth operator at the Habaraduwa Exit of the Southern Expressway foiled a kidnapping this morning (Wednesday), which ended with a dramatic car chase and the rescue of the victim. The two kidnappers were arrested. 

The victim, a woman, was abducted while en route to an apparel factory in Dikwella where she was employed.  

She had been taken down the expressway, but the toll booth operator noticed that the woman's mouth was covered by the hand of one of the men seated at the back and alerted a policeman at the booth who raised the alarm. 

Reinforcements from the Habaraduwa Police Station’s Traffic Division chased the vehicle and opened fire into the air to stop it in the middle of Habaraduwa Town. Seeing a struggle between the victim and one of the kidnappers who stabbed her with a knife, police smashed the windows and pulled out the kidnappers.  

The victim and one kidnapper were admitted to hospital for injuries. The other kidnapper, a 23-year-old who was driving, was arrested. 

Police said they suspect the abduction was the result of an illicit affair. Investigations are ongoing,  

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