Two fall to death in gem mine

BY Ajith Lal Shanthaudaya 

Colombo, April 4 (Daily Mirror) - Two workers engaged in digging a gem mine at Dambuluwana in Elapatha off Ratnapura on Thursday evening (03) fell to death when the mine they were digging cut across an abandoned earlier gem mine.

The victims, Dimiyawa Mudiyanselalage Laxman Priyashantha Ranaweera (42) and Atukoralage Somisara Atukorala (37) were residents of the Dambuluwana area.

Investigations revealed that when one of them had fallen into the pit the other had attempted to save him and both had been buried under a mound of earth. 

Police said the two men may have inhaled a toxic gas in the gem mine and had fallen into the pit. They said a permit had been issued for the gem mine.