News

News

A twisted arsonist?
By Gamini Mahadura from Galle
A Tamil shop owner in Galle town who allegedly set fire to his own shop to possibly give a communal twist to it and make a false insurance claim has been arrested, police said.

Early on Friday morning he had allegedly filled eighteen polyethylene bags with petrol inside his shop and caused them to gradually leak out and catch fire and then informed the Fire Brigade of the Galle Municipal Council and the police.
The fire engines which rushed to the scene had been able to put out the blaze in a short time, stopping it spreading to other buildings in the town.

The damage caused to the shop from the alleged arson has been estimated at Rs. 30,000. Police said that when they visited the scene they found the polyethylene bags with petrol and connected to them were polyethylene straws to allow the fuel to spill out.

Police also said the shop had been insured for Rs.5 million by the owner and the insurance period lapsed yesterday. Police have sealed the shop and placed security at the site.

Top

Back to News