(Press Release)
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A special team of the Corps of Military Police (SLCMP) of the Army, dispatched from the Colombo Army Headquarters on the orders of the Commander of the Army, has begun investigations into the fatal water bowser accident at Anuradhapura where one school girl and a woman, lost their lives and eight more were injured on Sunday (16) at about 5.30 p.m.
Commander of the Army, condoling with families of the victims, instructed the Director Legal at the Army Headquarters, to immediately interdict both Army personnel, now in Police custody, and reprimand those responsible for the incident before they are tried in a Court of Inquiry, headed by a senior officer.
A water bowser, driven by civil-clad two soldiers who were allegedly under the influence of liquor, had rammed into a wayside bus halt near the Anuradhapura Post Office.
One more seriously injured 17-year old girl was also transferred to Colombo National Hospital, the same afternoon on medical advice. Others injured in the incident are under treatment and most of them have received minor injuries, according to hospital authorities.
Initial investigations confirmed that those two soldiers in question, Lance Corporal T.M.R.J Tennakoon and Private K.D.S Kodituwakku, were on an unauthorized expedition to the Anuradhapura town and trying to overtake a three-wheeler way back when the accident occurred, although their authorized assignment, was meant only to bring water from Tisawewa for use of soldiers in the detachment.
Anuradhapura Police were to produce both arrested soldiers to Court on Monday (17) after recording all statements from the victims, eye-witnesses and both arrested Army personnel before post-mortems are held.
Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake, Commander of the Army after speaking to relevant officers in Anuradhapura, instructed them to undertake funeral arrangements of the victims and attend to the needs of all affected families at the earliest.
Commander, Forward Maintenance Area (FMA) and Senior Officers, have already arrived in Anuradhapura for inquiries and other onward arrangements. (Ends)
A special team of the Corps of Military Police (SLCMP) of the Army, dispatched from the Colombo Army Headquarters on the orders of the Commander of the Army, has begun investigations into the fatal water bowser accident at Anuradhapura where one school girl and a woman, lost their lives and eight more were injured on Sunday (16) at about 5.30 p.m.Commander of the Army, condoling with families of the victims, instructed the Director Legal at the Army Headquarters, to immediately interdict both Army personnel, now in Police custody, and reprimand those responsible for the incident before they are tried in a Court of Inquiry, headed by a senior officer.
A water bowser, driven by civil-clad two soldiers who were allegedly under the influence of liquor, had rammed into a wayside bus halt near the Anuradhapura Post Office.
One more seriously injured 17-year old girl was also transferred to Colombo National Hospital, the same afternoon on medical advice. Others injured in the incident are under treatment and most of them have received minor injuries, according to hospital authorities.
Initial investigations confirmed that those two soldiers in question, Lance Corporal T.M.R.J Tennakoon and Private K.D.S Kodituwakku, were on an unauthorized expedition to the Anuradhapura town and trying to overtake a three-wheeler way back when the accident occurred, although their authorized assignment, was meant only to bring water from Tisawewa for use of soldiers in the detachment.
Anuradhapura Police were to produce both arrested soldiers to Court on Monday (17) after recording all statements from the victims, eye-witnesses and both arrested Army personnel before post-mortems are held.
Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake, Commander of the Army after speaking to relevant officers in Anuradhapura, instructed them to undertake funeral arrangements of the victims and attend to the needs of all affected families at the earliest.
Commander, Forward Maintenance Area (FMA) and Senior Officers, have already arrived in Anuradhapura for inquiries and other onward arrangements. (Ends)
