Tragic blaze at unregistered facility in Anguruwatota raises questions over safety standards and oversight of elder care homes.
A devastating fire swept through an unregistered elderly care home in western Sri Lanka killing at least 12 residents and injuring eight others, authorities said.
The blaze broke out at the Maupiya Sewana (or Mawpiya Sevana) Elders’ Home in Anguruwatota, about 55-65 km southeast of Colombo in the Kalutara district. More than 70 vulnerable residents, including elderly individuals and people with mental illnesses, were housed in the privately run facility at the time of the incident.
Police and soldiers, along with firefighters, rescued 51 residents, many of whom were assisted in boarding buses to safer locations. Eight survivors were hospitalised, primarily for smoke inhalation. The death toll stood at 12, with charred bodies recovered from the scene. Some reports indicated a small number of residents may still be unaccounted for.
Director arrested in negligence investigation:
The director of the home, identified as Isuru Anushka, was arrested on suspicion of causing death through negligence and remanded in custody for a week as investigations continue.
Authorities noted that the facility was operating without proper registration and had previously been warned about failing to comply with safety laws and guidelines. The National Secretariat for Elders highlighted gaps in oversight, with the home reportedly charging families significant fees for care while operating in substandard conditions.
Investigators are examining possible causes, including an electrical fault, alongside issues of overcrowding and fire safety hazards that may have been ignored.
Shock and calls for accountability:
The incident has sent shockwaves across Sri Lanka, where the care of an ageing population remains a growing concern. Images from the scene showed intense flames engulfing the tiled-roof building, with thick smoke billowing into the night sky as emergency responders and local residents gathered outside.
This tragedy underscores broader challenges in Sri Lanka’s elder care sector, including the proliferation of unregistered facilities and insufficient regulatory enforcement. Rights advocates have long called for stricter licensing, regular inspections, and better training for staff in such homes.
As rescue and recovery operations concluded, officials vowed a thorough investigation to determine the full circumstances and prevent similar disasters.