More details have emerged regarding the police shooting that occurred along the Weerasinghe Mawatha in Bokundara, Piliyandala, earlier today (19).

According to police, the incident had occurred after officers attempted to intercept two suspects who were fleeing following an alleged attack on a house down O.P. Perera Mawatha, Boralesgamuwa.

Police said four individuals, armed with sharp weapons and travelling on two motorcycles, had allegedly assaulted the occupants of the house and caused extensive damage to the property before fleeing the scene.

Following information that the suspects were heading towards Piliyandala, police officers were deployed along the Weerasinghe Mawatha in Bokundara.

Upon noticing the officers, two of the fleeing suspects, who were travelling on a motorcycle, allegedly had attempted to make a sudden U-turn to evade the arrest.

As police officers attempted to stop the motorcycle, the pillion rider allegedly had attacked a police officer using a sharp weapon, injuring him.

The officer then opened fire at the suspect, striking him in the waist. The suspect fell from the motorcycle and was immediately taken into custody, while the rider managed to flee the scene.

The arrested suspect has been identified as a 24-year-old resident of Weediyagoda, Bandaragama, police said.

The injured suspect and the police officer are currently receiving treatment at the Colombo South Teaching Hospital in Kalubowila. A young woman who was allegedly assaulted during the earlier attack at the Boralesgamuwa residence is also undergoing treatment at the same hospital.

Piliyandala and Boralesgamuwa Police have launched a joint investigation into the incident.