A policeman, attacked by a group of persons, including NPP Ratnapura District MP Shantha Pathmakumara Subasingha, was arrested by the Embilipitiya Divisional Investigation Bureau yesterday while he was receiving treatment in hospital.

The Police Media Division said that according to clinical records of the policeman, there was a smell of alcohol in his breath.

MP Subasinghe has denied the allegation he was involved in the attack. He has said the policeman obstructed him and turned aggressive, causing a heated argument.

The victim has said that the MP found fault with him as he had taken part in a raid on a cannabis cultivation on a block of land owned by a relative of the lawmaker. in Buluthota.

The policeman was produced before Embilipitiya MC yesterday (22) and granted bail.

The Police Media division said that a blood sample obtained from the suspect would be sent to the Government Analyst’s Department.

A detailed statement was issued by the Police Media Division regarding reports of the alleged assault on a police officer by a group, including an MP on 20 December.

The victim has said on 20 December, while returning after work, he was assaulted by the NPP Member of Parliament, and a group accompanying him, near the Kalugala Temple. According to a news report telecast on Hiru, the police assistant had complained that some ‘Kasippu’ (illicit liquor) had been splashed on his face by the MP, which temporarily blinded him and then they had forcibly taken away his motorcycle.

The statement further noted that around 10:10 p.m. the same day, NPP Ratnapura District MP Subasingha lodged a complaint with the Kolonna Police Station, claiming that while travelling in a double cab, from Kalugala toward Halwinna, a police constable, attached to the Sooriyakanda Police Station, riding a motorcycle, blocked his path stopped the cab and attempted to assault him.

The police said the motorcycle of the policeman had been found on the road near the Kalugala Temple and taken into custody by the Kolonna Police. The policeman was first admitted to the Kolonna Hospital and later transferred to the District General Hospital, Embilipitiya.

No narcotic substances had been detected in the officer’s urine samples, and arrangements were made to obtain blood samples from him and send them to the Government Analyst’s Department to determine whether he had consumed alcohol.

Investigations into the alleged incident are being conducted by the Embilipitiya Divisional Crimes Investigation Bureau under the supervision of the Senior Superintendent of Police in charge of the Embilipitiya Division.