By Roy Denish.
BMICH abduction sparks police pursuit in Colombo as officers rescue a university graduate and launch a manhunt for the fleeing suspect.
A BMICH abduction turned a university graduation day into a police operation in Colombo after officers intercepted a vehicle carrying a newly graduated student and opened fire during the pursuit.
The incident unfolded outside the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), where the victim, a graduate of the University of Colombo’s Sri Palee Campus from Weligama, was attending her convocation ceremony with her family.
According to investigators, the suspect, a resident of Midigama, became enraged after learning that his partner had travelled to Colombo for the ceremony without informing him. He allegedly lured her away from the venue, forced her into a vehicle and fled.
In an unusual twist, the vehicle used in the BMICH abduction belonged to the suspect. However, the victim’s father had driven it to Colombo to transport the family to the ceremony.
Alarmed by his daughter’s sudden disappearance, the victim’s father immediately called the 119 emergency hotline. The Colombo District Special Operations Centre then issued alerts across the city, prompting officers to establish checkpoints along possible escape routes.
Police Open Fire During BMICH Abduction Pursuit
Officers at a roadblock near the Police Hospital on the Narahenpita-Nawala Road spotted the targeted vehicle speeding away. When the driver ignored repeated orders to stop, police discharged their firearms at the vehicle.
The suspect then abandoned the moving vehicle and fled on foot. The driverless car continued forward before crashing into a roadside wall. Officers rushed to the vehicle and safely rescued the shaken graduate, who was unharmed. A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered a brand-new machete.
Preliminary inquiries revealed a history of friction between the couple. The victim’s family had previously urged her to end the relationship because of the suspect’s alleged connections to local drug-related activities.
Authorities directed the rescued woman to the Colombo Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) for a medical examination. Police transferred the vehicle to the Cinnamon Gardens Police Station.
Meanwhile, authorities have launched an intensive manhunt across the Southern and Western provinces to apprehend the fugitive suspect.
