Cash worth over Rs 7.9 million was robbed at gunpoint from the cashier of the Colombo National Hospital this afternoon (09).

Reportedly, the money had been brought in for the payment of overtime salaries of hospital employees.

The perpetrator had fled the scene in a three-wheeler following the robbery.

However, hearing the commotion, two rookie police constables attached to the State Intelligence Service, who had been on duty at the hospital, had pursued the robber on another three-wheeler, stated Police Media Spokesman SP Jaliya Senaratne.

Further, OIC of the Children and Women’s Bureau of Matara Division, Chief Inspector Varuni Bogahawatta, who had been at the hospital on an official matter, too, had pursued the perpetrator and assisted the Constable to arrest him, said SP Senaratne.

Subsequently, the perpetrator had been apprehended at the Punchi Borella area and the total amount of cash that was robbed from the hospital was recovered.

Speaking at a special conference held by the Police Media Division this evening, the Police Media Spokesman lauded the actions of the two officers who pursue an armed suspect, despite being novices. The Acting Inspector General of Police too had commended the action of the two constables.

The assistance of Chief Inspector Varuni Bogahawatta was also appreciated at the press conference.

The suspect is currently being interrogated at the Maradana Police station.

According to preliminary investigations, the suspect is a 33-year-old doctor from Horana, who is temporarily residing at Cotta Road. He had been transferred to the Colombo National Hospital from another hospital for a postgraduate specialist trainee program, said the Spokesman. The arrested doctor has no prior records of criminal offenses.

Investigations are carried out to determine the reason behind the robbery, whether he worked alone or was connected to a larger criminal organization, said SP Senaratne.