A 17-year-old youth among the deceased - Not registered anywhere in the elderly care home - Isuru Anushka remanded until the 11th

Twelve people have died in a severe fire that broke out at an illegally operated elder care and shelter home named "Senehase Kadella" (Nest of Affection) in the Horana, Anguruwatota area. The Horana Magistrate's Court has ordered the director, who was arrested in connection with the incident, to be remanded until the 11th.

Eleven people were burned to death at the scene in this tragic fire that broke out on Wednesday (03) afternoon, and another person who sustained severe burn injuries died after being hospitalized. In addition, six more people were injured due to complications arising from inhaling smoke from the fire. The police have confirmed that in addition to elders, a group of young people with mental health issues were also housed at this shelter, and a 17-year-old boy is among the deceased.

The police had taken steps to bring the owner of this institution, named Isuru Anushka alias Loku Ayya (Big Brother), which was operated without proper standards and illegally, to the scene in handcuffs on Thursday for investigations. It was revealed in court that no official permission had been obtained to operate the said home, and that even the minimum standards imposed by regulatory bodies were not met. Accordingly, officials have been instructed to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the violation of regulations for operating shelter homes.

It has now been revealed that the owner of the home was also running a fundraising program to provide meals to the residents, and that he immorally showcased the residents on social media to popularize them and thereby obtain donations and patronage.

Relief teams and local residents made strenuous efforts to extinguish the fire, and forensic medical experts also arrived at the scene to conduct investigations. According to preliminary witness statements, it is suspected that the fire originated from a storage room containing a pile of mattresses. Police Media Spokesperson Mr. Fredrick Woodler stated that 51 residents and staff rescued from the fire have now been safely relocated to a nearby government school, and Horana Police are conducting further investigations into the incident.