CID takes over investigation into arson attack on PM’s residence

• Three arrested over attacks which left PM’s residence burnt to ground
• Attacks draw condemnation from BASL, SJB and others
• PM’s residence was to be donated to his alma mater Royal College
• SJB MP describes Wickremesinghe’s home library as best in country

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) yesterday took over the investigations into the arson attack on Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s private residence in Colombo after three suspects were taken in custody over the incident.

The investigation continued as the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) and the main Opposition SJB joined other groups in condemning the attack on the PM’s private residence which left the house burnt to the ground.

An adjoining property belonging to a relative of Wickremesinghe too was damaged by the attackers.

Police began the investigation last morning, and said that the three persons arrested in connection with the attack are residents of Mt. Lavinia, Ja-Ela and Galle. Police said more arrests are likely in the coming days.

The attack on Wickremesinghe’s house followed an attack by Police personnel on media personnel who were reporting from near the PM’s residence.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said he joins all peaceful Sri Lankans in fiercely condemning the barbaric arson attack on the Prime Minister’s private residence. “This is not the way that problems are solved in civilised democracies. There’s no excuse for violence or burning down houses. My thoughts are with the Prime Minister and his wife Maithri at this difficult time,” he said on Twitter.

He also called for immediate steps to be taken to prevent further violence and those who were truly responsible for this act of barbarism must be held accountable.

SJB MP Rajitha Senaratne yesterday condemned the arson attack on the PM’s residence, describing the Wickremesinghe’s library as among the biggest and best in the country.

“Wickremesinghe was waiting to donate his books to the public library and his residence to Royal College, Colombo. However, valuable assets which the nation was going to inherit have been lost today,” he said.

The BASL also condemned the attack on the PM’s residence. Its President Saliya Pieris called for an investigation into the incident and action against those who are responsible for it.