By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya and Pushpakumara Mallawaarchchi

Gampaha, August 8 (Daily Mirror) - A 38-year-old passenger died and a police constable sustained serious injuries in a shooting incident during a checkpoint search in Kotugoda early this morning.

Police said the incident occurred when the passenger attempted to grab the officer’s service firearm during the search, causing it to discharge accidentally.

They said a group of officers from the Seeduwa Police Station had stopped and attempted to search a car that had arrived from Seeduwa at the Kotugoda checkpoint. Four people were inside the vehicle at the time.

During the search, the passenger seated on the left side allegedly tried to seize the firearm of a Police Sergeant, resulting in the weapon firing.

The discharge of the weapon led to injuries to both the passenger and the officer. They were taken to Negombo Hospital, where the passenger succumbed to his injuries. 
The constable is receiving treatment in the ICU.

Three other occupants of the car fled the scene following the incident. The Seeduwa Police are conducting further investigations.

The deceased has been identified as a 38-year-old resident of Pugoda.