Cops Transferred After Dereliction of Duty in Meegoda Robbery

COLOMBO (News 1st); In response to the recent incident at the Meegoda center, where seven police officers were allegedly found sleeping on duty, the Sri Lankan Police Department has taken swift action.

Responding to allegations that the officers were intoxicated, DIG Talduwa clarified, "So far, there is no evidence that they had consumed alcohol." However, he did acknowledge that the officers were not adhering to their designated duty hours.

"According to the current information, it is said that they were on duty till around 12.30 AM," he explained. "There is information that they were resting. Here, a dereliction of duty is observed. They have to be on duty till 2 AM."

A woman was injured in a shooting incident that occurred on Monday (12) morning at the Megoda Economic Center, according to Sri Lankan police.

Authorities confirmed that a individual on a motorcycle opened fire, injuring a 23-year-old female resident of the area. 

According to CCTV footage seen by News 1st, two men wearing full-faced helmets had arrived in a motorbike and entered the premises.

One individual was armed and held the woman, and another man, at gun-point while the other criminal cleared out the cash register.

The victim, who was working as a cashier at a shop within the economic center, was subsequently admitted to Homagama Hospital for medical treatment.

Police have launched an investigation into the incident.