Eight individuals have been arrested after an SUV collided with a woman and her child, killing them both in the Pahala Balalla area on the Padeniya- Anuradhapura Road last evening.
Police Spokesman Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Ajith Rohana said the deceased were a 32-year-old woman and her 3 ½ year-old son.
The SUV plying from Anuradhapura had struck the woman and her son while walking on the pedestrian crossing.
DIG Ajith Rohana said the driver of the vehicle and two others have fled the area following the accident.
Preliminary investigations have revealed that 11 persons had been travelling in the vehicle at the time of the accident.
He said the Mahawa Police had also found empty beer cans inside the SUV.
The Mahawa Police has launched investigations to apprehend the driver of the vehicle, and to ascertain if he had driven under the influence of Alcohol.
The Police spokesman further said there is a significant increase in fast and reckless driving, and driving under the influence of alcohol due to the festive season.
DIG Ajith Rohana urged the public to be vigilant of reckless drivers when walking on the road, especially with young children.
He added that Police in civil attire will be deployed during the festive season to apprehend drunk and reckless drivers. (NewsWire)