Mulleriyawa man arrested for setting fire to wife

A legal husband who fled after pouring petrol on a woman and setting her on fire in the Angoda area in Mulleriyawa last May 18 afternoon was arrested by the Mulleriyawa police on Friday (22).

The arrested suspect is a 41-year-old three wheel driver residing in the Meegahawatta area in Angoda, and police investigations revealed that he was not subjected to any prior criminal charges, according to our reporter.

The suspect confessed that he committed this crime due to a family dispute and intense suspicion regarding his wife leaving the house and associating with other individuals, and he further stated that he planned to commit suicide after the setting on fire.

The suspect, who arrived in a three wheel, poured petrol on the head of this woman, who was working in a shop in the Angoda area on May 18 at around 5:32 pm, set her on fire, and fled.

The suspect fleeing was also recorded on nearby CCTV cameras, and the tricycle used for the crime and a petrol bottle were taken into police custody based on the statements obtained from him, our reporter notes.

The woman who sustained severe burn injuries from the attack is still receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Colombo National Hospital, and hospital sources note that her health condition remains critical due to severe damage caused to her face and chest area.

However, the police already managed to obtain a statement from her.