COLOMBO (News 1st); What was meant to be a joyful union of two families in Kotagala, Hatton, turned into an unforgettable afternoon of chaos, punches, and police drama, one that ended not with wedding vows, but with handcuffs.
A lively wedding reception held at a function hall in Kotagala yesterday (17) evening spiralled spectacularly out of control when a disagreement between the bride’s side and the groom’s side erupted into a full-blown brawl.
Police say the clash was fuelled by alcohol, with both groups reportedly intoxicated when tempers flared and civility flew out the window.
Guests who had gathered for celebration suddenly found themselves in the middle of what resembled a ringside boxing match, as shouting turned to shoving, and shoving quickly escalated to outright violence between the two sides.
Several police officers rushed to the scene in an attempt to calm the situation and restore order.
But in a twist that shocked even seasoned officers, both sides allegedly turned their aggression towards the police themselves.
Instead of playing peacemakers, the officers reportedly became targets, as members from both parties lashed out in a rare moment of united defiance, not the unity the wedding planners had in mind.
But the story didn’t end there.
According to local sources, the unfolding drama soon drew the attention of nearby villagers, who were less than amused by the spectacle, particularly the reported assault on the police officers.
In what could only be described as a sudden shift in alliances, villagers reportedly banded together and intervened, turning against both the bride’s and groom’s parties.
The result? Yet another layer of confrontation, as the already chaotic situation snowballed into a community-wide clash.
By this point, the wedding had long lost any resemblance to a celebration. Instead, it had become something of a multi-round showdown, with shifting sides and no clear winners.
When the dust settled, those involved had scattered, only to be later found gathered in a nearby field.
Police eventually tracked them down and took multiple individuals into custody.
Authorities confirmed that 11 suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident and are due to be produced before the Hatton Magistrate’s Court.
Investigations are still ongoing, with police actively searching for three more individuals believed to have been involved in the altercation.
