All I did was 'distribute it' - the story told by the illicit liquor seller after 6 people died

Six people have died due to fatal poisoning in the Wennappuwa Waikkala area, and several others have been hospitalized. Information regarding these deaths was first reported yesterday morning, the 6th, from a lodging room in a factory in the Wennappuwa Waikkala area.

A 53-year-old man residing in Pothanegama, Anuradhapura, and a 28-year-old youth residing in Diyagama, who had died there, were identified. While the police were investigating these deaths, a 53-year-old man who lived alone in a nearby house was also found dead. His body was found lying naked inside the house when a relative brought him food.

Hospital sources confirmed that three more individuals, admitted to Marawila Base Hospital in critical condition concurrently with this incident, have also died. Among those who died at the hospital are a 60-year-old man residing in Pelmadulla, Kariyawasam Hewage Jayantha (56) residing in Makola, and an unidentified person. Additionally, three others who showed symptoms have been admitted to Negombo General Hospital, and the condition of one of them is said to be serious.

According to police investigations, all those who died and were hospitalized had purchased and consumed 'kasippu' (illicit liquor) from a woman in the Thambarawila area of Wennappuwa, Waikkala, on the evening of the 4th. The factory owner has informed the police that the deceased workers had been heavily addicted to alcohol for a long time and had even failed to report for duty on some days. The owner had also arranged for private medical treatment for their illnesses on the 5th.

A 60-year-old woman has been arrested by the police on suspicion regarding the incident. Although she had previously received a suspended sentence for 'kasippu' trafficking, she continued this trade, disregarding court orders. She has told the police that she packaged 'kasippu' brought in bulk and sold it using the "Easy Cash" method, and that she only engaged in selling.

The Wennappuwa and Dankotuwa areas have long been known for illicit liquor, and it is a common sight for factory workers to frequent such places with the aim of obtaining alcohol at a low cost. Senior Superintendent of Police Rohan Perera, in charge of the Chilaw Division, points out that despite numerous police raids, traffickers use various tactics to evade the law. Another woman has been arrested in connection with the deaths of five people, and operations are currently underway to apprehend the 'kasippu' producer based on the statements of the arrested suspect.

Site inspections related to the deaths were conducted by Marawila Magistrate Dinindu Samarasinghe, and post-mortem examinations of the bodies have been ordered to be held at Chilaw General Hospital. Officers including Wennappuwa Assistant Superintendent of Police Asela Pulwansa and Wennappuwa Headquarters Police Inspector Thilina Hettiarachchi are conducting further investigations into the incident.