By Norman Palihawadane

One police constable was killed and another police constable along with the driver and two employees wounded when an unidentified gang opened fire on a vehicle carrying money from a bank yesterday (09) noon to pay wages of employees of Nelum Fashions Garment factory, Yatiyantota belonging to the husband of popular film actress Geetha Kumarasinghe. The deceased police constable has been identified as Navaratne attached to Yatiyantota police.

The injured has been admitted to Yatiyantota base hospital.

Investigations had revealed that the van was transporting rupees 10 million from a bank to Nelum Garment Factory to pay the wages of employees when an unidentified gang followed the van to loot the money. When the police constables on security duty opened fire on the gang it was retaliated killing one constable and injuring two others. But the gang was unable to carry out the bank heist. The gang had escaped. It is believed that four in the gang also were injured.

No arrests have been made yet Yatiyantota, police is conducting further investigations.