• The girl, a resident of Dayagama Estate Hatton had reportedly set herself on fire and was hospitalised last week

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya

A 16-year-old girl who was hospitalized with burn injuries while working as a domestic helper at the house of former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen in Borella died at the Colombo National Hospital yesterday, police said.   

They said the girl, a resident of Dayagama Estate Hatton had reportedly set herself on fire and was admitted to hospital last week with burn injuries.   

Borella Police said that her parents had brought her to the former minister’s house a few months ago. It was reported that she was staying in a room next to the kitchen when police found a bottle of kerosene and a lighter in the room.   

She came out of the room, while her clothes were on fire and another domestic helper and several others at the house along with Bathiudeen’s wife covered her with a wet blanket and rushed her to hospital.   

The police as well as the Government Analyst have gone to the house and inspected the place where the incident took place. Statements were recorded from the residents of the house over the incident and the Borella Police is conducting further investigations.