Tragic collision claims young family in Thulhiriya

By Pushpakumara Mallawarachchi and Chaminda Jayalath

In a devastating incident on the Colombo-Kurunegala highway, a young couple and their 13-year-old son were tragically killed in a head-on collision between a trishaw and a tipper lorry, Police said.   

The victims have been identified as P.H.D. Manoj Pinnawala (39), S.W. Denisha Sri Nath Gamlathge (38), and their son P.H.D. Geethma Satsara (13), who were residents of Potawella in Rambukkana.   

Police said that the preliminary investigations indicate that the family was returning from Galle after attending a function when the accident occurred.   

The tipper lorry, enroute from Polonnaruwa to Colombo with a load of sand, collided with their trishaw, reducing it to a wreckage and rendering it unusable.   

Police said that the local residents, who swiftly responded to the scene, faced immense challenges in extricating the trapped passengers from the mangled trishaw. Despite their efforts, medical professionals pronounced the family members dead upon arrival at the hospital.   

Sergeant 34590 Wickremeratne is presently leading further investigations into the incident under the guidance of OIC Warakapola Police CI A.D.C. Prasad.