Locked exits, and safety lapses revealed in Horana elderly home fire case

Police have informed court that serious safety concerns existed at the “Senehase Kedella Mawpiya Sewana” elderly care home in Batagoda, Horana, where a fire claimed the lives of 12 people.

Presenting facts before court, police stated that the facility had iron-barred doors installed at both the front and rear entrances, which had reportedly been locked in a manner that prevented residents from exiting the premises.

According to court submissions, elderly residents had made desperate attempts to escape during the fire.

Police said the bodies of six victims who were unable to escape due to the locked doors were found near the front entrance of the building.

Police further informed the court that the body of a person who had reportedly been restrained with a chain was discovered near a window inside the premises.

Authorities also stated that the elderly home lacked basic emergency safety equipment, alleging that the facility had been operated with serious negligence.

Meanwhile, lawyers appearing for the owner of the institution argued that officials from the Department of Social Services, police, the Divisional Secretariat, and health authorities had regularly inspected the premises.

They further noted that inspection logbooks maintained by the authorities contained no recommendations to shut down the facility.

After considering the submissions, the magistrate ordered that the owner of the elderly home be remanded until June 11.

Separately, Director Jayamali Wickramarachchi of the National Secretariat for Persons with Disabilities stated that facilities of this nature are required to be registered with the institution, but the affected elderly home had not been registered.

It has also been revealed that the Senehase Kedella Mawpiya Sewana Elderly Home had not been registered with the Millaniya Divisional Secretariat.

Speaking in response to an inquiry, the Millaniya Divisional Secretary said the institution had been informed on several occasions to complete registration procedures.

However, the director of the elderly home had failed to comply with those instructions, and the matter had been reported to the relevant ministry.

The fire, which broke out yesterday evening, killed 12 people, while six injured residents continue to receive treatment at the Horana Base Hospital and Galpatha Regional Hospital.

Meanwhile, 51 residents rescued from the fire are currently being accommodated at the Batagoda Day Care Centre.