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Sri Lanka care home fire kills 12; manager arrested
AFP, Colombo
Published: 04 Jun 2026, 06:43 PM
Sri Lanka's army personnel carry the charred remains of a resident in Batagoda on 4 June 2026, a day after a fire broke out at an elder care home. Photo: AFP
The manager of a Sri Lankan care home was arrested Thursday,
a day after a fire killed 12 residents and injured six others, officials said.
The manager of the Maupiya Sewana Elders Home was arrested
as forensic experts combed through the wreckage and discovered seven more
charred bodies, raising the death toll to 12.
An AFP photographer saw the manager in handcuffs being
escorted to the scene on Thursday, as police interviewed survivors and
neighbours.
In addition to elderly residents, the facility also housed
young people with mental issues.
The youngest victim was a 17-year-old boy, police said.
Police spokesman Fredrick Wootler said 51 residents and
staff rescued on Wednesday had been moved to a nearby government facility.
Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the fire.