Six Individuals Cleared in RW House Arson Case

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Activist Piyath Nikeshala and five others, who had been arrested and later released on bail in connection with the arson attack on the private residence of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe during the 2022 public protests, were today acquitted and released from the case.

The decision was made on the instructions of the Attorney General.

A total of 29 suspects had originally been named in connection with the torching of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe's private residence on May 9, 2022, during a period of political unrest and public protests.

During previous hearings, several suspects had also been released from the case following recommendations from the Attorney General.

When the matter was taken up today before Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena, six individuals, including activist Piyath Nikeshala, former Member of Parliament J. Sri Ranga, Bimal Jayasuriya and Senadhi Koshan, were discharged from the case on the instructions of the Attorney General.

After considering all the facts presented before court, the Magistrate also lifted the overseas travel ban that had been imposed on all 29 suspects connected to the investigation.