While chasing a suspect, he tripped and his service firearm fired.

The Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Criminal Investigation Division of Balangoda Police was seriously injured in a sudden accident that occurred while chasing a suspect hiding in a forested area in Mugunamale, Balangoda. The accident took place yesterday (01) around 4:50 AM, when the OIC fell to the ground while pursuing the fleeing suspect, causing his service firearm, holstered at his waist, to accidentally discharge, resulting in the gunshot wound.

The person who sustained serious injuries in this manner is Inspector M.L. Samaraweera, the Officer-in-Charge of the Criminal Investigation Division of Balangoda Police.

This raid was launched based on intelligence received by the police that an individual or a group involved in a crime was staying in a forest in the Mugunamale area. Accordingly, the OIC, along with Police Sergeant Dayananda (53427), went to the said area, where one suspect suddenly attempted to flee. Preliminary investigations have confirmed that at that moment, the OIC, who was chasing the suspect in the dark, tripped and fell, and the pistol discharged upon impact, shooting him.

The OIC, who was injured by the gunshot, himself promptly informed the Balangoda Police Station about the incident via his mobile phone. Subsequently, steps were taken to immediately admit him to Balangoda Base Hospital, and due to the serious nature of his condition, he was transferred to Ratnapura Teaching Hospital for further treatment. The on-site inspection regarding this incident was conducted yesterday afternoon by Balangoda Chief Magistrate Ms. Bhagya Dilrukshi Wickremasinghe, and Balangoda Police are continuously conducting further investigations into the incident.