"I don't have a license .. couldn't control the cab .. the two young men got run over .. the vehicle crashed into a tree"

"I don't have a license .. couldn't control the cab .. the two young men got run over .. the vehicle crashed into a tree"

Urumiwala Kusalagnana thero who drove the cab by running over seventeen year old student Dhanusha Lakshan who committed himself to paintings in Kalawana and left the world bringing a shock to the whole country recently gave evidence at the inquiry into sudden deaths which was held at Ratnapura general hospital.

"I was driving the cab from Kalawana town to Dela to the pirivena where I was teaching. At
Jayanthipura junction I couldn't control the cab and it then ran over two youngsters who were by the side of the road and went and struck a tree and stopped. It was I who drove the cab which caused the accident. I am also the registered owner of that vehicle. As a monk I have no valid license to drive a vehicle.

On this particular day at about 12.45 in the afternoon I drove the cab and was on my way to the pirivena in Dela from Kalawana where I was teaching. The cab ran over the two boys and stopped after striking a jak tree by the side of the road. When I got down from the driving-seat and looked, I saw the two of them fallen on the ground with injuries. Then with support of others around I took them to Nivithigala hospital. I gave a call to 1990 ambulance service and had them transported. I informed Nivithigala police about the accident. Officers of Nivithigala police came and after taking me into custody, took me to the police station.

I came to know that one of the injured boys had passed away at Ratnapura general hospital. I admit that the young man died after being knocked down by the cab I was driving".

Ratnapura inquirer into sudden deaths, Mr. Lakmina Tennakoon mentioned thus: "As a Buddhist thero and by being a teacher of an auxiliary pirivena ... you have committed a mistake knowing the law very well. Having driven a vehicle without a license; a valuable life has been lost untimely. I have come to know that this is not the first occasion where you have taken to the steering-wheel. You could have made use of a driver for this purpose. I strongly advise you regarding this accident!"

The incident where an innocent life was preyed upon causing a tremendous shock to many people by Urumiwala Kusalagnana thero of Mihinduthala Wana Senasuna and that too without a valid license. As a consequence the young man H.R. Dhanusha Lakshan (17), a resident of Kalawana, Veddagala passed away on 13th afternoon while under treatment at Ratnapura general hospital. In fact he was someone who was anticipating results having sat his advanced level examination this time.

At the moment of the accident with deceased Dhanusha Lakshan was his friend, young man Walpola Ishwage Prasad Priyadarshana (19) who lived North Veddagala. Giving evidence, this is what he said: "Lakshan who died is a friend of mine living close to my home. On the day of this incident I happened to meet him at about 12.30 in the afternoon in Kalawana town. Lakshan called me to come to go and meet Ratnapura district member of parliament, Mr. Premalal Jayasekera to get a trophy for a cricket match we are organising. As such, I then set off to Nivithigala on Lakshan's motor bicycle to go to the MP's house. Lakshan was riding the motor-bike. Since he got a phone call, he stopped the bike towards the side of the road. I and he thus parked the bike and proceeded further towards the side. I can't remember what happened after that. When I regained my consciousness, I was at Ratnapura hospital. There I came to know that a cab driven by a monk had run over my friend and that my friend had died".

The inquirer into sudden deaths pronounced that death was caused by a road accident. The suspect monk after being produced before Ratnapura additional magistrate and was ordered to be kept under remand custody till today (13). Final rites of the deceased victim was conducted yesterday (16).

- Lasantha Niroshana Perera -

Previous article about incident:

Lakshan who engaged in painting, knocked down by vehicle driven by monk ... dies