Overview
- The fire began at about 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the Mawpiya/Maupiya Sewana home in Anguruwatota and left 13 residents dead after one injured person later died in hospital.
- About 71 people were living at the facility when the blaze spread; police and neighbours rescued roughly 50–51 people and several injured survivors remain hospitalized.
- Owner and manager Isuru Anushka Perera was arrested on suspicion of causing deaths through negligence and was remanded by the Horana magistrate during a court hearing.
- Officials say the home was unregistered, severely overcrowded with space for roughly 15 people, and had been previously warned to follow regulations while relatives and staff reported some residents had been tied in chains.
- A magisterial inquiry has been opened and forensic teams including the Government Analyst are examining the site to determine whether the fire was caused by a gas-cylinder blast, an electrical short, or another factor, and the findings could lead to criminal negligence charges and tighter oversight of private care homes.