Six killed, seven injured after drunk driver rams Vesak dansala queue in Meegoda

Colombo, June 1, Daily Mirror: Six people, including a 15-year-old girl, were killed and seven others injured after a cab crashed into a crowd waiting in line at a Vesak dansala near Meegoda Junction on Sunday night.

According to Police, the tragic accident occurred on the High Level Road within the Meegoda Police Division when a cab travelling from Avissawella towards Colombo veered into a group of devotees standing in a queue at the dansala.

A total of 13 victims were rushed to the Homagama Hospital following the collision. Police said three men and three women succumbed to their injuries before admission to the hospital.

The deceased men, aged between 35 and 38, were residents of Hanwella and Avissawella, while the deceased women, aged between 15 and 56, were from the Piliyandala area.

Police responded immediately and arrested the driver along with the vehicle as he allegedly attempted to flee the scene.

Investigations revealed that the 42-year-old suspect, a resident of Piliyandala, was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash.