A car that fled from police during an attempted inspection, putting officers’ lives at risk, was later found abandoned on Janaraja Mawatha, Medawatta, Matara, the Police said.

The driver was arrested while hiding in a jungle area behind the University of Ruhuna.

According to authorities, the Special Rider Team attached to the Matara Division, which focuses on narcotics and organized crime, had planned to inspect a suspiciously parked vehicle near the Wellamadama Vehicle Emission Testing Centre in Devinuwara around 8:50 pm yesterday.

When officers approached, the driver suddenly sped away, injuring several police officers, prompting them to fire multiple shots at the fleeing vehicle.

A joint search operation by the Matara Police Station and the Divisional Crime Investigation Unit led to the discovery of the abandoned car on Janaraja Mawatha.

Around 10:30 pm, the suspect was apprehended while hiding in the forested area behind the University of Ruhuna.

A search of the vehicle uncovered 2,230 mg of ‘ICE’ narcotics, a live hand grenade, drug consumption paraphernalia, and Rs. 105,630, suspected to be proceeds from drug trafficking.

The Matara Police Headquarters are continuing investigations into the suspect.