28 year old arrested over torching 17 year old student

29 November 2022 06:10 pm Views - 4734

A 28 year old man was arrested by a special police team in Ampitiya today over torching a 17 year old child who had obtained 9A's in the 2021 G.C.E Ordinary Level exams, the police said. 

The police said that the suspect was a member of a criminal gang and had a hand grenade in his possession at the time of his arrest. 

The 17 year old victim, a resident of Meekanuwa, Ampitiya had been confronted by the suspect on Saturday night (November 26) while returning home with his family members. 

The suspect, who had borne a torch in his hand, along with a bottle of kerosene, had confronted the boy in agitation and had thrown kerosene and the torch in the victim's direction. 

The 17 year old suffered serious burn injuries to his arms and neck, Police Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa said.

Investigations led by Kandy Police revealed that the suspect is a drug addict with a criminal record. 

Several Police teams had been deployed to arrest the suspect who had fled the area soon after. (Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya)