By Darshana Sanjeeva Balasuriya   

Eighteen (18) police officers have lost their lives in 78 road accidents this year, Public Security Minister Sarath Weerasekera said. 

He said 293 police officers were injured during road mishaps while on duty last year, in which 28 of whom had died.   

Minister Weerasekera said after an event in Kalutara, that the police officers on duty are under pressure, but he would not approve some activities of those policemen such as the incident at Pannipitiya where a traffic policeman had attacked a lorry driver.   

The minister said that the public should also understand the role and pressure situations handled by the policemen.