- U.L. Mabrook
- For BBC Tamil
Four policemen were killed in a shooting at a police station in the Tirukovil area in the Ampara district of Sri Lanka last night (24).
The shooting was carried out by a police officer who worked at the station.
A police officer attached to the Thirukovil police station told BBC Tamil that the incident took place at 11.40 last night.
Three policemen were killed at the scene of the shooting. A police officer who was taken to the hospital with injuries was later pronounced dead.
Meanwhile, Thirukovil police station officer-in-charge Dehikama and a police officer were injured and admitted to hospital.
What happened?
The police told BBC Tamil that the shooting was carried out by a sergeant-grade police officer named Kumara, who was on duty at the Tirukoil police station traffic unit.
Police say there were only a few on duty at the police station when the incident happened last night, and that Sergeant Kumara – who was at the police station – shot everyone he saw.
A police officer told the BCC that the station master was not there at the time of the shooting and that he was aware of such an attack when he entered the police station with the driver of his jeep and the vehicle in which he was traveling was attacked.
Casualties and injuries
Three people were reported dead at the scene of the shooting. Police officers Prabhu and Naveenan and police driver Tushara were killed.
Kather, a police officer who was later taken to hospital with injuries, also died.
Meanwhile, police station officer Dehikama, police driver Kumar and sergeant Kandasamy were injured in the shooting and are being treated at a hospital.
The heater escaped
According to police, Sergeant Kumara, who carried out the attack, fled in his own vehicle, carrying two rifles and 19 rounds of ammunition from the police station.
The escapee surrendered at the Ethimala police station in Moneragala district. It is learned that Ethimala is his hometown and his house is located there.
The man reportedly surrendered with two Ri-56 rifles and 19 rounds of ammunition.