The Police Constable (PC), who is alleged to have helped organised crime suspect Nadun Chinthaka alias 'Harak Kataa' to grab a firearm that was in the possession of a Sub Inspector of Police (SI), will have to face both criminal charges and relevant disciplinary proceedings, if the charges against him are proved, according to the Police.

It was reported on Monday (11) that several Police teams were on the hunt to arrest a PC who allegedly helped Chinthaka to grab a firearm that was in the possession of a SI attached to the Police Special Task Force, while being interrogated at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).

When contacted by The Daily Morning yesterday (12), Police Media spokesperson Senior Superintendent of Police and attorney Nihal Thalduwa said that the Police had not been able to locate and arrest the suspect as of yesterday (12) evening. "It is only suspected that he has helped Chinthaka to grab a firearm. It has to be investigated further, and the relevant allegations should be established. If it is proven that he has helped a criminal to flee, it is a criminal offence and the relevant charges will be filed. In addition, the Police will also initiate disciplinary proceedings against him”.

Chinthaka, who is being detained by the CID for interrogation, had been taken to a particular unit for interrogation purposes on 10 September. The suspect PC who had accompanied him had allegedly given some confectionery to the Police officers who were present there, after which two of them who consumed the confectionery had become intoxicated. Chinthaka had then sought permission to go to the toilet, and the PC in question had unlocked his handcuffs. However, it is alleged that the PC had not locked the handcuffs when Chinthaka was taken back to the unit. After coming back, Chinthaka is said to have attempted to grab a firearm that was in the possession of a SI, but that the latter had managed to control him.