A Jordanian police officer has been killed in a suspected terrorist attack outside the Sri Lankan Embassy in Amman, Jordan, while another officer sustained injuries, the Sri Lankan Embassy confirmed today (5).

In a statement, the Embassy assured that all its staff members and the Sri Lankan community residing in Jordan were safe following the incident.

According to Jordan’s Public Security Directorate (PSD), the attack occurred at approximately 12.20 p.m. today, when an assailant armed with a sharp weapon attacked a police officer on duty outside the Embassy building.

The officer, identified as Corporal Jawad Ali Khalaf Al-Salaita, succumbed to his injuries following the attack.

A police patrol that arrived at the scene immediately intervened, overpowered the attacker and took him into custody.

During the confrontation, the officer commanding the patrol sustained facial injuries and was subsequently hospitalised. Jordanian authorities confirmed that his condition was stable.

Preliminary investigations conducted by the PSD revealed that the suspect had allegedly planned the attack with the intention of targeting security personnel.

Jordanian authorities have officially classified the incident as a terrorist act, while a comprehensive investigation is underway to establish the circumstances surrounding the attack.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan Embassy expressed its deepest condolences to the family and colleagues of Corporal Al-Salaita, who lost his life in the line of duty.

The Embassy stated that Sri Lanka joined the Government and people of Jordan in mourning the officer’s death.

Sri Lankan Ambassador to Jordan Wishwanath Aponsu and Embassy officials are maintaining close coordination with Jordanian authorities and monitoring the security situation.

The Embassy further assured that it remained attentive to the safety and welfare of Sri Lankan nationals residing in Jordan following the incident.