CID to probe arson attack on PM’s home

Inspector General of Police C.D. Wickremaratne has handed over the investigation into the arson attack on the private residence of PM Ranil Wickremesinghe in Fifth Lane in Kollupitiya to the Criminal Investigation Department.

A police team including the Deputy Inspector General and the Director of the Criminal Investigation Department arrived at the torched house and began their investigations from yesterday (10) morning.

Initial investigations have revealed that the fire was started by throwing petrol and then setting fire. A can suspected to have used to bring petrol, was also found at the location by investigators. An officer said it appears some organized group had committed the crime under the guise of engaging in the struggle. The fire and explosives experts of the Government Analyst’s Department also arrived at the location yesterday. United National Party Deputy Leader of Ruwan Wijewardene took a media team to the location to witness the devastation yesterday (10). The media team witnessed smoke coming out from some parts of the house at that time. The house had suffered extensive damage and almost all items inside it was burnt.

The mob also had damaged the house of Wickremesinghe’s brother Channa Wickremesinghe which is located next to the Prime Minister’s house. Some household items including gold jewellery had been robbed from his house.

Officials said the mob had blocked the vehicles of the Colombo fire brigade from arriving at the location to douse the fire.

The Prime Ministers official vehicle too was destroyed in the fire.The house was completely gutted due to the blaze.