Kusal Mendis to pay Rs 1 mn compensation to deceased's family after accident

Colombo: Lawyers representing Sri Lanka Cricketer Kusal Mendis over the accident in Panadura on Sunday have agreed in court to pay Rs 1 million to the family of the victim.As per the agreement, Rs 200, 000 was paid in court to the victim's family on Monday as initial payment.

The agreement comes after Mendis was released on two personal bails of Rs 1 million each after being produced before the Panadura Magistrate's Court on Monday over the accident according to local media reports.

The court also temporarily suspended Mendis' driving licence in connection to the accident.

A 64 year- old cyclist was killed after being hit by the vehicle driven by Mendis near the 13th KM post in the Horethuduwa area in Panadura on Sunday. 

Kusal Mendis was arrested and placed at the Panadura police last night.Preliminary investigations into the accident cleared the sportsman of driving under the influence of alcohol.

The investigations revealed the accident had occurred when Mendis, along with others including fellow cricketer Avishka Fernando, was returning home after attending the wedding of an employee of the Sri Lanka Cricket Board.The cricketer is said to have fallen asleep on the wheel at the time of the accident.

The preliminary investigations further revealed that Mendis was cleared of charges amounting to driving under the influence of alcohol after being produced before the judicial medical officer following the accident.Case will be again taken up again on September 9th.(UNI)