This Defender vehicle collided with a cement carrier and a sand truck at Melsiripura on the Dambulla Road on Friday, June 18. The Defender is believed to have been travelling at a speed exceeding 120 km/h. Witnesses described the vehicle being driven at high speed using its strobe lights and horning excessively as it careened wildly along the main Dambulla road before crashing into the two trucks. Witnesses said the vehicle belonged to Minister Susantha Punchinilame. Melsiripura police confirmed it was so but subsequently claimed the vehicle belonged to one Mendis. Three passengers traveling in the vehicle were remarkably unhurt escaping with minor injuries.
