Police rescued a 26-year-old woman following an alleged abduction near the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo after officers opened fire at the vehicle carrying her when it allegedly failed to stop at a roadblock.
The incident occurred on 29 August as police attempted to intercept the vehicle on the Narahenpita-Nawala Road.
The driver subsequently abandoned the vehicle and fled, while police recovered the woman.
Police alerted to alleged abduction
According to police and current reporting, Narahenpita Police received information at around 1:30 p.m. that a young woman had been forcibly taken from the vicinity of the BMICH.
Officers attempted to intercept the vehicle as it travelled towards Nawala.
Police say the driver failed to comply with instructions to stop.
Officers subsequently opened fire at the vehicle, after which the driver abandoned it and fled on foot.
The woman was found inside and rescued.
Preliminary investigation points to boyfriend
According to preliminary police investigations, the fleeing driver has been identified as the woman's boyfriend.
Both are reported to be residents of the Weligama and Midigama areas.
The woman had travelled with her family to the BMICH for a graduation ceremony.
These details form part of the preliminary investigation and should not be treated as final judicial findings.
Woman examined by JMO
Police took the vehicle into custody.
The woman was subsequently produced before the Colombo Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) for examination.
Police were continuing operations to locate and arrest the fleeing suspect at the time of reporting.
Police firearm use
The incident also involved police discharging firearms at a vehicle in an urban area.
Current reporting states that officers fired after the vehicle allegedly failed to comply with repeated instructions to stop.
Do not independently conclude that the use of firearms was legally justified or unjustified without the relevant investigation or authoritative determination.
Investigation continues
The suspected driver remained at large at the time of the latest verified reporting.
The alleged abduction, circumstances leading to the incident and police firearm use remain matters subject to further investigation.