Seven students hospitalised after tasting chemical substance in science lab

• Students reportedly tasted a red-coloured substance, thinking it was chilli powder
• Tests later revealed that it was a chemical used to detect iron

By Athula Bandara

Seven seventh-year students of Ratmalgahaela Junior College in Dambulla were hospitalised yesterday after tasting a chemical substance from the school laboratory, police said.

The students, five boys and two girls, were admitted to Ward Six of the Weera Kobbekaduwa Base Hospital in Dambulla for treatment.

Dambulla Assistant Superintendent of Police M.S.K. Wickramanayake said the school laboratory had been broken into during the recent holidays, and chemicals had been scattered. The students reportedly tasted a red-coloured substance, thinking it was chilli powder. Tests later revealed that it was a chemical used to detect iron. Assistant Superintendent Wickramanayake said the children are receiving treatment, and investigations into the incident are ongoing.

The school principal, Nimali Siriwardena, and Galewela Zonal Education Director Ranjith Siriwardena declined to comment, citing instructions from the Zonal Education Office. Parents said they were informed by the school about the incident and rushed to the hospital.