Drunk driver who ignored police orders kills officer on New Year s Eve

A police officer from the Ambalantota Police has lost his life after being struck by a car driven by a drunk driver on New Year’s Eve, according to police reports. The tragic incident took place around 2:30 a.m. on January 1 near a roadblock by the bridge over the Walawe Ganga in Ambalantota. Officers indicated that the car, which was heading towards Ambalantota, did not stop when instructed and hit the officer who was on duty. The victim was identified as Police Constable M. Sarath Kumara, a father of two from Weeriyagama, Sooriyawewa. He had recently been moved to the Embilipitiya Police Station and was set to depart from Ambalantota on January 3. The accident happened just as a farewell ceremony for him was planned for that day, as reported by Ada Derana. A Civil Security Force officer who was present also suffered injuries and was taken to Ambalantota Hospital for care. Police later discovered the vehicle involved in the crash in a nearby area. The driver and another person in the car were arrested at the scene, with investigations showing that both were significantly under the influence of alcohol.