A retail store selling plastic and paper products was set on fire at Ambepitiya in Beruwela on Monday June 24th night around 9 30 pm in the night.

The store belonging to a Muslim businessman by the name of Mohammed Nadheem was attacked with two fire bombs. The door at the back of the premises had been broken open and two bottles filled with petrol had been thrown inside.

Although the fire began spreading people in the neighbourhood who saw the flames and smoke alerted the authorities. Personnel from the Police,Special Task Force and Military rushed to the store upon hearing of the attack and began fighting the flames after entering through the broken back door.

Meanwhile the owner of the store Nadheem also arrived and opened the front door of the premises. This enabled the security personnel to fight the fire from both sides.The fire was extinguished within minutes.

Though some merchandise and furniture in the store did burn the damage caused was not very much it is learnt. The people of the area suspect that a “non-Muslim” living in the vicinity was responsible for the arson attempt.

Ambepitiya suffered much violence on une 15th and almost all the Muslims of the area were forced to abandon their homes and seek safety elsewhere. The displaced people are now gradually returning back.