The house of Ajith Dharmapala in Kundasale, who made Easter revelations, is set on fire.

A house belonging to Mr. Ajith Dharmapala, a former senior police officer and prominent social media activist who sought refuge in Britain due to death threats received during the previous administration, located in Kundasale New Town, has been set on fire by an unidentified group.

Police state that the arson occurred around 3 AM on November 9th. Petrol was poured through a window in the front living room of the house and set on fire, causing severe damage to a sofa and several window panes inside the house. Relevant photographs and media reports show the interior of the house burnt and the walls and windows blackened with soot after the attack.

Although some initial reports stated that no one was in the house when the fire started, the police say that the house had been rented out to another group, and about four or five people were sleeping there at the time of the incident. However, the occupants were unaware of the fire until neighbors, who saw it spreading, woke them up around 3 AM.

Information suggesting that this attack was premeditated has now been revealed. About two days before the incident, a person wearing a helmet arrived on a motorcycle at night and inquired if the house was available for rent. Police have also received information that he specifically asked who owned the house before leaving. Although security cameras were installed at the house, their inactive state proved to be an advantage for the perpetrators.

Currently, further investigations into this arson incident have been handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) under the instructions of the Inspector General of Police. Concurrently, Kandy Police have also launched a comprehensive investigation, deploying Crime Scene Investigation Officers (SOCO), fingerprint experts, and special teams under a Senior Assistant Superintendent of Police. Although there is a rumor that this attack was carried out by the underworld or organized crime gangs, no official confirmation regarding the suspects involved or the specific motive has been made yet.

Mr. Ajith Dharmapala, the owner of the property subjected to the attack, is a former Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Police Department. He holds a Master's degree in Communication from the University of Kelaniya and was awarded as the best performing officer in the island in 2008. Currently, he directs his activities from London and is also the President of the 'Organization for the Independence of the Police from Politics' (IODPP).

His "IODPP Police" YouTube channel has over 200,000 subscribers, and he actively expresses his views on X, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. He releases critical long videos concerning internal political interference within the police, incidents related to the Easter attacks, and issues of the current government. During the last election period, he expressed support for the National People's Power (NPP) and stands out as an independent voice who severely criticizes his former colleagues as well as state institutions.

Mr. Dharmapala's controversial activism had previously drawn significant attention from authorities. Before the presidential election, in September 2024, Brigadier Chandika Mahathantila, Director of Military Intelligence, filed a complaint against him with the CID. This was based on a video statement by Mr. Dharmapala claiming that plans were underway to create a chaotic situation by deploying about 200 military intelligence officers after September 12. Army Media Spokesperson Major General Rasika Kumara also confirmed that the complaint accused him of spreading false information to demoralize the military for political purposes and making death threats against officers. Earlier, in 2022, a statement he made claiming that former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was staying at a house belonging to a person named Pathirana was officially refuted by the Sri Lanka Air Force.

As local media reports indicate, this arson is interpreted as a deliberate attack targeting a prominent social media activist who has faced death threats in the past. This mysterious attack on the house in Kundasale makes it clear that even while he is abroad, the pressures against his voice have not ceased.