Ashan Tarinda Ratwatte, the 24-year-old suspect arrested in connection to the accident which took the life of PC Sithum Alahapperuma attached to the State Intelligence Service (SIS) has been warded at the Dumbara Hospital under protection prison officials told courts today.
Ratwatte was not presented to courts and instead was at the hospital in Dumbara when the case was taken up in Colombo, where the accident occurred. While the courts ordered him to be presented to courts on the next date, he was remanded till June 19. Ratwatte was found to be intoxicated beyond the allowed legal limit following the accident.
The accident took place on the night of June 11 near the Thumulla junction when the Defender Ratwatte was travelling in collided with a motorcycle carrying two SIS officers including the deceased Alahapperuma.
Alahapperuma (22) had foiled the National Hospital robbery on June 9 along with the other SIS officer who was with him at the time of the accident. Hospital sources said the other injured officer has suffered serious injuries to his legs.
Appearing on behalf of the suspect, PC Kalinga Indatissa in courts had noted that Ratwatte had not caused the accident intentionally and that he would be willing to pay fair compensation to the victim.
The family of the victim has already expressed its concerns if justice will be served for the death of PC Sithum Alahapperuma.
Meanwhile initial Police report on the incident claim that both parties to the accident had caused it by driving in a careless and reckless manner.
