Police have arrested a 41-year-old man over an alleged petrol attack in which his wife was set on fire in Angoda, leaving her in critical condition with severe burn injuries.
According to police, the suspect, a resident of Meegahawatta, Angoda, was taken into custody on Tuesday (May 22) in the Mulleriyawa police division.
The incident is alleged to have occurred on May 18 at around 5.30 p.m., when the suspect reportedly arrived at the scene by three-wheeler, poured petrol over the woman, set her on fire and then fled.
The victim was admitted to hospital immediately and is being treated in the intensive care unit of the National Hospital, Colombo. Hospital sources said she remains in a critical condition with severe burn injuries to her face and chest.
Police said a statement has been recorded from the victim and that initial investigations indicate the suspect is her husband. Based on information provided by the suspect, the petrol bottle allegedly used in the attack as well as the three-wheeler have been taken into police custody.
According to investigators, the suspect has admitted responsibility during questioning and has made statements citing personal disputes, which are being examined as part of the investigation.
He was due to be produced before the Hulftsdorp Magistrate’s Court on Thursday (May 24).
The arrest comes amid a string of major crime investigations across the country, including the arrest of a chain-snatching and motorcycle-theft suspect in Homagama, the Dikoya double-murder arrest following the killing of an elderly couple at a Hatton-area shop, and an IGP-directed islandwide crackdown on online fraud rings.
Sources: Newswire.
