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Police Arrest Director After Fire Kills 12 at Overcrowded Home

6/5/2026

44 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Police arrested director Chathura Mihudum of the unregistered Anguruwatota home and ordered a one-week detention.
A fire at the home killed 12 residents, injured eight, and rescued 51.
The facility housed about 71 occupants in a space designed for roughly 15 beds.
Mihudum had previously warned the home to comply with laws and guidelines.
Police and soldiers took rescued residents to safety where officials are providing care.

History

Historical Context

The 1990 Colombo Kensington Hotel blaze, which killed 12 people while housing 80 guests in a 30-bed facility, echoed earlier deadly hotel fires such as the 1946 Winecoff Hotel fire (119 deaths) and the 1966 Anchorage Lane Hotel fire (14 deaths) that spurred national fire-code reforms. Sri Lanka’s repeated overcrowding tragedies now pressure lawmakers to tighten enforcement of the Fire Safety Ordinance.

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Story summary

Police arrested director Chathura Mihudum of the unregistered Anguruwatota home and ordered a one-week detention.
A fire at the home killed 12 residents, injured eight, and rescued 51.
The facility housed about 71 occupants in a space designed for roughly 15 beds.
Mihudum had previously warned the home to comply with laws and guidelines.
Police and soldiers took rescued residents to safety where officials are providing care.

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