Fatal accident in Badulla

• The deceased R.M. Ravindu Dulanjana( 18), and Sikkubaduge Harindra Rukmal (18) and the injured were students of Dharmadutha Maha Vidyalaya

By Prasad Rukmal and Prasankana Pathmasiri  

Two students died and twelve others were injured when a double cab driven by a school boy toppled at the Malwatta cricket stadium in Badulla where the big match between Dharmadutha Maha Vidyalaya and Uva Maha Vidyalaya was being played. The cricket match had been organized for the 74th year. 

The injured were admitted to Badulla general hospital and one of them in critical condition was transferred to Kandy general hospital.  

The schoolboy who had driven the vehicle was among those injured and that the vehicle involved in the accident was his father’s. The big match was drawn due to the accident.  

Police said the deceased R.M. Ravindu Dulanjana( 18), and Sikkubaduge Harindra Rukmal (18) and the injured were students of Dharmadutha Maha Vidyalaya.  

Investigations revealed that that a group of students of Dhramadutha Vidyalya had held a motor demonstration in the town when the match was going on and one of the vehicles had toppled.  

Police said the students riding on motor vehicles haphazardly behaved in an unruly manner, despite the two schools had decided not to allow their students to engage in motorcade demonstrations during the match. A senior police official said several students had been pinned under the vehicle and seriously injured.  

OIC Traffic Branch SI A.V.Anura, SI Sunil Ratnayake, SI Jinadasa, Sergeants 43056, and 83375 Wickremasuriya are conducting further investigations on the instructions of HQI Badulla police CI T.M.Ratnayake, SP Buddhika Gunasekara and SSP Sujith Wedamulla.