The Director of the elders’ home in Anguruwatota, Horana, who was arrested and remanded in connection with the massive fire that broke out, has been granted bail, today (11) by the Horana Magistrate’s Court.
However, the suspect was not produced before court, while attorneys appeared on his behalf.
Following submissions made by the defence, the Magistrate ordered that the suspect be released on a cash bail of Rs. 100,000 and two surety bails of Rs. 1 million each.
The court also imposed a travel ban on the suspect and the case is scheduled to be taken up again on June 25, 2026.
Meanwhile, the death toll from the fire that broke out on June 03 at the “Senehase Kedella” Elders’ Home in Anguruwatota has risen to 13.
Another six individuals who sustained serious injuries in the incident were admitted to hospital.
A magistrate’s inquiry into the incident was conducted on June 04 when Horana Magistrate Lakmini Vidanagamage visited the site.
The burned bodies were removed in the presence of the magistrate, and among them, the body of a cat that had died in the fire was also discovered.
Police stated that 71 residents were staying at the elders’ home at the time of the fire.
When the fire broke out, 10 people died inside the building, having been burned in the blaze.
Approximately 50 residents who survived the fire were temporarily accommodated at Batagoda Junior School.
Those residents were subsequently transferred to another branch of the same elderly care organization located in Galpatha on June 04 with the assistance of Sri Lanka Army personnel.
