Police officers involved in a dramatic high-speed chase in Ratmalana on the evening of 26 October have recounted the tense moments leading up to the shooting of a fleeing van after its driver repeatedly ignored police orders to stop.

Speaking during a programme on Sirasa TV, officers Dhanushka and Sumith Kumar detailed the events and the strict protocols governing their actions, emphasising that their response was carried out solely “for the safety of the people.”

The incident took place on 25 October while the officers were patrolling within the Piliyandala Police Division, conducting vehicle checks and managing traffic near the Suwarapola Junction.

The chase began when a motorcyclist alerted the officers that a van — possibly linked to an earlier accident — was speeding toward their post. One officer recognised the van and stepped onto the road to signal the driver to stop. Instead, the driver accelerated, heading directly toward him.

“I told my colleague, ‘Let’s go, let’s check this out,’” the officer recalled, describing how the chase began on their motorcycle.

Dangerous Driving and Escalation

During the pursuit, the van driver displayed reckless disregard for public safety. With the road ahead blocked by a truck, the driver swerved into the opposite lane, colliding with a cyclist.

Recognising the growing danger, the officer said decisive action was needed. “Because of the way the van driver was operating, innocent people would certainly be affected,” he explained.

To document the incident, one officer instructed his colleague to start recording on his mobile phone. Police later confirmed the footage was taken as evidence for investigative purposes.

Decision to Open Fire

The officer stressed that the decision to use his weapon was not taken lightly. “We have received training, and when shooting, we act within a strict framework,” he said. “We cannot shoot as we please.”

He explained that the use of firearms is tightly regulated and guided by official protocols: “If we fail to use the weapons in our hands properly, even in such a chaotic situation, something far worse could happen — to the public, to innocent people.”

Following the necessary procedures, the officer fired at the van. Despite being hit, the vehicle continued for some distance before both tyres went flat, bringing it to a stop. The driver then exited the vehicle and fled the scene.

Reflecting on the incident, the officer said he felt “a sense of satisfaction” for having fulfilled his duty responsibly.