Nov 16, Colombo: The police have started an investigation into the fatal shooting of a person last night in the Lunugamvehera forest reserve.

A 31-year-old resident of Tissamaharama, who was seriously injured by gunshots, died after being admitted to the Lunugamvehera hospital.

The shooting took place while a group of officials from the Kataragama, Karawila Wildlife Office were conducting a raid in the protected area. The operation has been expanded when nearby wildlife offices informed that a group of people have fled the reserved area.

Accordingly, a search operation had been launched to arrest the fugitives in Zone No. 06, Left Bank Zone of Yala Park.

The Preliminary police investigations have revealed that this shooting took place during the search operation.

A wildlife controller who did the shooting has been taken into custody after surrendering to the police with his firearm.