Husband arrested over setting wife on fire

By Prasad Rukmal 

An individual who hurled petrol and set his wife on fire, causing her serious burn injuries, was arrested by Girandurukotte Police yesterday. The suspect had surrendered to the police after the incident.

The victim was taking her daughter to school by trishaw when the suspect waylaid her and hurled petrol and set it on fire. He had taken the 12-year-old daughter out before setting fire to the trishaw.

The injured woman, from the Roberiya area in Girandurukotte, was admitted in critical condition to the Mahiyangana Hospital.

Police said the 42-year-old suspect is a soldier attached to an army campin Kankasanturai. Investigations revealed that a family dispute had resulted in the incident.

OIC of Girandurukotte Police, IP Sudesh Chaturanga, is conducting further investigations on the instructions of ASP Weheitha Deshapriya.