Attempted burglary: Policemen, culprits recovering in CNH

by Dhaneshi Yatawara

One of the three police officers admitted to the National Hospital, after being attacked by a gang of robbers in Bambalapitiya, underwent surgery yesterday according to hospital sources.

The police officers who came under attack from the five-member gang in the wee hours of yesterday were admitted to the Colombo National Hospital(CNH). The four gang members who were injured were also admitted with injuries sustained in the attack.

According to the Director of the National Hospital, Dr. Anil Jasinghe, the police officer who underwent surgery was out of danger. Two members of the robber gang also underwent surgery yesterday.

The five-member gang had earlier stormed the house of a journalist at Dickman’s Road, Bambalapitiya and the Police in response to an emergency 119 call moved in and apprehended the culprits in a shoot out.

In the confrontation with the police, the gang had attacked the police officers using sharp weapons, while attempting to flee.

One of them died in the melee, when a police officer opened fire on the gang.

Police recovered all the stolen goods.

“Several such incidents were reported from the Bambalapitiya Police area in the recent past and the Police had several mobile emergency units on duty, especially on night patrol to nab the culprits,” said police spokesman, Superintendent of Police, T.M.H.B. Siriwardena.