Apr 13, Buttala: Lightning killed a policeman attached to Buttala police station this evening while on duty at a police post on the recently opened Buttala – Kataragma road in Monaragala district.

Following the lightning, police personnel at nearby posts reportedly have opened fire towards the jungle mistaking the thunder as a Tamil Tiger attack.

Buttala- Kataragma road was opened on Friday (Apr 11) after months of closure as Tamil Tiger terrorists killed dozens of civilians in a series of roadside bombes and massacres in the area.