12 killed in fire at elderly care home in Sri Lanka; owner arrested

Key points

• At least 12 people were killed and seven others injured after a fire broke out at an elderly care home in Sri Lanka, police said on Thursday.
• The blaze erupted at around 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday (June 3, 2026) at the Mawpiya Sevana Elderly Care Home in Anguruwatota, about 65 km southeast of Colombo, in Kalutara district.
• Police said 10 residents were found dead at the premises, while two others succumbed to injuries after being admitted to the Horana Base Hospital.
• The owner of the privately run care home was arrested on Thursday (June4) as investigations into the incident continued, police said.
• More than 70 elderly residents were at the facility when the fire broke out According to police, it was the “worst” incident involving fatalities from a fire in recent times on the island.