Sri Lanka, June 5 -- The owner and Director of the Mawpiya Sewana Senehase Kadalla elders' home in Batagoda, Anguruwatota, Horana where a fire claimed the lives of 12 inmates, was arrested yesterday (4).

He was later remanded till June 11 after being produced before the Horana Magistrate.

Police Spokesman ASP F. U. Wootler stated that investigations are continuing into the incident and the circumstances surrounding the fire. Police stated that the death toll in the fire that completely destroyed the building increased to 12 by yesterday morning with the death of two more inmates, who were receiving treatment in hospital.

Further investigations have revealed that among the 71 inmates, eight had burn injuries and were hospitalised, while...