Fireman dies in expressway crash
MIRIGAMA: A fireman died and three others were seriously wounded when theirtruck rammed into a protective fence on the Mirigama-Kurunegala section of the Central Expressway on Friday, police said yesterday.
They said the truck belonged to the Kurunegala Fire Brigade.
The four firemen who were in the truck at the time of the accident were rushed to a regional hospital in critical condition. However, one of them died of his injuries.
The deceased was identified as a 37-year-old, a resident of Henamulla.
Pothuhera Police are conducting further investigations.
Home blaze ends in boy’s death
KEGALLE: A nine-year-old boy died after he was caught in a fire at his home during a power outage last week at Kegalle, police said.
They said the victim was at his home with his grandmother when the incident took place.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the grandmother had sent the boy to a room to fetch a box of matches to light a lamp.
However, the victim had struck the match unaware that the room was holding a stock of petrol and kerosene that had been stocked by his father.
The flame from the lighted match had ignited the stock of petrol and kerosene.
Twenty injured in Mawanella lightning
MAWANELLA: At least 20 people sustained burn injuries and were treated in hospital after they were struck by a bolt of lightning last week. The victims were part of a larger gathering of people attending a funeral at a cemetery when they were struck by lightning.
The authorities have repeatedly cautioned the public to take adequate precautions to minimise damage that could be caused by lightning during bad weather.
Unawatuna assault; six held
UNAWATUNA: Six people were arrested in connection with the assault of a Russian national and a restaurant owner in Unawatuna recently.
According to the police, the incident had occurred over a parking slot at the premises of the restaurant.
The suspects are alleged to have parked their vehicle blocking the entrance to the restaurant.
The assault followed a heated verbal stand-off between the suspects and the restaurant proprietor.
The Russian was injured after he had attempted to intervene in the ensuing melee, police said.
Jak fruit dispute leads to death
ELPITIYA: An 80-year-old man was taken into custody after he allegedly stabbed a person to death in a dispute over a jak fruit in Elpitiya.
The victim was a 34-year-old man.
The incident had taken place after both people attempted to claim ownership of the fruit, according to police