An irate man is alleged to have torched to death a homeless beggar as a slept on a side walk on Monday night, police said.
They said the incident took place in Homagama close to Sri Lanka’s commercial capital of Colombo.
The victim was rushed by residents to a nearby government hospital but succumbed shortly after admission since he had sustained serious burns throughout his body, according to police and hospital officials.
Initial investigations have revealed that the 28-year-old suspect who was subsequently arrested had told officers that he had decided to harm the man since he had ignored earlier advice from him to have a shower, the officials said.
The deceased was identified as Perambuli Arachchige Dharmadasa (64), by his relatives.