5 pilgrims died in a tractor-tipper accident at Kalu Bridge in Monaragala.

Five people, including two from the same family, who were on a pilgrimage to Kebiliththa, died in a severe road accident that occurred around 12:30 AM today (21) near the Kumbukkana Kalupalama on the Monaragala - Wellawaya road.

This unfortunate incident occurred when a tipper truck coming from the opposite direction collided with the middle tractor among three tractors carrying a group of people on a pilgrimage to the sacred sites of Kataragama and Kebiliththa. At the time of the accident, 10 people were traveling in that tractor and its trailer, and the tipper truck, which was traveling towards Siyambalanduwa, collided on the bridge near the 14th milepost in Kumbukkana.

Eight people who were seriously injured in the incident were immediately admitted to Monaragala General Hospital, and five of them died while receiving treatment at the hospital. The unfortunate victims who passed away were residents of Dodamgaslanda, Buttala, and Horabokka, aged 21, 26, 31, 55, and 56, respectively. The other three injured are currently receiving further inpatient treatment at Monaragala Hospital.

Both the driver of the tipper truck involved in the accident and the driver of the tractor have been arrested, and Monaragala Police are conducting further investigations into the incident.