More details have emerged regarding the van that failed to heed a signal to stop at a checkpoint in the Asgiriya area of Gampaha, prompting police officers to open fire.

The operation was launched, last night (12), by a team of officers from the Weliweriya Police Station based on prior information received from the Western Province Intelligence Division that drugs were being distributed in the Gampaha area using a van.

After confirming that the relevant van was travelling towards Udugampola, police officers discreetly followed it in a police jeep.

The driver, reportedly unaware that he was being followed by police, stopped the van near the Malwatta Junction along the Udugampola Road.

The police officers then had got out of the jeep and had attempted to inspect the van.

However, the driver allegedly drove the van back and forth several times at high speed, colliding with several vehicles travelling along the road. He then reportedly had rammed the police jeep, injuring the officers, and attempted to flee the scene.

Police subsequently had opened fire at the van, and the driver had sustained gunshot injuries.

Subsequently, the injured driver was admitted to the Gampaha Hospital under police protection.

A subsequent search of the van led to the recovery of 15 grams of heroin and 9 grams of 'Ice' (crystal methamphetamine), according to police.

Further investigations into the incident are underway.