The reason behind the recent arson attack on a school student in Ampitiya has been revealed. According to the authorities, the suspect had set fire to the school student after a failed attempt to elicit a bribe from the boy’s father.

The main suspect had stopped the pair and asked the father for money. When the father failed to heed the request the suspect had thrown kerosene at the 16-year-old school student and set him on fire by throwing a fire torch at him. The boy along with his father was returning home after relaying the good news about his results to his grandmother on Saturday night when the incident took place. The boy is a student of St. Benedicts College Ampitiya.

The suspect was arrested by the Police on Tuesday while hiding in a jungle area in Ampitiya. Police said the suspect had a grenade with him at the time of his arrest.

Police said they have received information that the suspect who is a drug addict is involved in many illegal activities. Police also said villagers are afraid to give evidence against the suspect.

The student who suffered serious burn injuries is currently receiving treatment at the Kandy National Hospital and the doctors say that his condition is gradually improving.