5 persons die from Kolakanawadiya tractor - van accident

5 persons die from Kolakanawadiya tractor - van accident

As a result of the handtractor - van accident that took place around 1.45 dawn today (19) on Polonnaruwa - Batticaloa Road, 4 women and 1 male travelling in the handtractor met with death and thus, altogether those who died number 5. 

The said accident happened at 89 kilometre Kalkanawadiya area along Maradankadawala - Thirkondyadimadu Road in Welikanda police division. A van which was travelling towards Welikanda had tried to overtake a handtractor moving in the same direction. This collision has taken
place around 1.45 early this morning. Though the van had tried to overtake, it had not been possible to clamp down the speed of the tractor and had then collided with the said van. As a consequence, the tractor has struck the van and had toppled, it was said. 

4 females and the male who were in the handtractor have died instantly from the accident while 12 others have sustained injuries and were admitted to Polonnaruwa hospital. Those who died they were had been travelling in the open space of the tractor and they were residents of Welikanda - Bowaththa area, police say. The deceased are Edirisingha Aarachchige Pushpakumara aged 32 years living at No. 76, Bowaththa; B.M. Ananda Kumari of No. 140, Bowaththa aged 38; R.J.A. Sanjeewani of No. 134, Bowaththa, aged 30; W.A. Spalika of Medirigiriya, Divulankadawala and R.G.A. Sakunthala of No. 134, Bowaththa, aged 32. 

The dead bodies lie at Polonnaruwa mortuary. Those wounded ... 5 males, 5 females, a boy and a girl are presently undergoing treatment at Polonnaruwa hospital. Welikanda police are conducting further inquiries.