Monk knocked down, driver flees in Ratnapura

A Buddhist monk (83) died after he was knocked down by a jeep at Pelwadiya area in Ratnapura on Thursday early morning.

The victim, Ven.Lellopitiya Saranatissa Thera of the Amashanthi Thapowana Temple of Pelwadiya met with this accident around 4.50 a.m. and pronounced dead after admitting to the Ratnapura Teaching Hospital, police said.

Police investigations have revealed that the driver of the vehicle had left for Colombo after admitting the Thera to the hospital by the same vehicle and without informing the police about the accident.

Accordingly, Ratnapura Police have arrested suspect and the investigations are going on into the accident.