Arson attack on President’s residence: Four suspects remanded till August 10
Four suspects who have been arrested in connection with setting fire to the private residence of President Ranil Wickremesinghe have been remanded till August 10 by Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage yesterday. he four suspects aged 19to 28 are residents of Mount Lavinia, Ja-Ela and Galle. These four suspects were yesterday produced before an identification parade.
Although it was not revealed at this time that these suspects had attacked government properties and vehicles, the Magistrate stated that they had failed to give reasons why they entered the private house of President Ranil Wickremesinghe without invitation and rejected the bail application made by the defence counsels. The Criminal Investigation Department has named Gammeda Liyanage Peter Andrew Perera who was allegedly involved in the incident as the fifth suspect in the case. The CID further stated that the suspect had already been left the country. The police said that the vehicle received from the government as the Prime Minister at that time had been damaged and steps have been taken to call for an assessment report from Demo Institute to calculate the damage.
Also, the police further stated that they will obtain the assessment reports regarding the damage caused to three vehicles belonging to the government, including a fire engine.
President’s Counsel Nalinda Indatissa appearing on behalf of the suspects pleaded his clients be released on bail. The PC further stated that these suspects have no connection to this incident.