SSP Sarath Perera said, according to the three-wheeler driver, the gangsters were carrying ganja and had asked him not to stop if halted by the police.
He had however pulled up at the road block and cautioned the policemen that the gangsters were armed. The policemen had wanted to check the bag in the vehicle, when the gangsters had opened fire.
The gangsters had also got away with the policemen's guns and had abandoned the three-wheeler at Matugama. Police suspect the gangsters are ganja dealers in the area. Special police teams comprising about 200 men are engaged in a cordon and search operation in the jungle nearby to catch the gangsters.
The two constables who had been in service for 6 and 5 years respectively have been identified as R. Sarathwimalaweera (33) from Godakawela, father of one child and Lalchandra Premalal (35) from Ayagama, father of three children.
