Police officer arrested in connection with incident involving MP Shantha Padma Kumara

A police constable has been arrested in connection with the assault involving Shantha Padma Kumara, a Member of Parliament from the Ratnapura District representing the National People’s Power (NPP), according to police reports. Officers from the Embilipitiya Divisional Investigation Bureau took him into custody on multiple charges, including threatening behavior. The constable is expected to appear in court later today. Earlier, police indicated that a blood sample from the constable, who was reportedly attacked by a group including MP Shantha Padma Kumara, would be sent to the Government Analyst’s Department. The Police Media Division released a statement regarding the incident that occurred on December 20. On that evening around 8:40 p.m., a constable from the Sooriyakanda Police Station, returning home after his shift, called the Kolonna Police Station using the 119 emergency hotline to file a complaint. He claimed that the MP and his group assaulted him near the Kalugala Temple and forcibly took his motorcycle. Later, at about 10:10 p.m. on the same day, MP Shantha Padma Kumara also lodged a complaint with the Kolonna Police Station. He accused the police constable of blocking the road with his motorcycle while he was in a cab traveling from Kalugala to Halwinna, stopping the cab, and trying to attack him. The officer's motorcycle was later found on the road close to the Kalugala Temple and was taken by the Kolonna Police. Initially, the constable was treated at Kolonna Hospital and was then moved to Embilipitiya Hospital. According to the police statement, clinical records from the hospital indicated that the officer had an odor of alcohol on his breath, as noted in the medical report. However, his urine samples did not show any narcotic substances, and police are now arranging to obtain blood samples to check for alcohol consumption.