Sri Lanka, June 4 -- Police have informed court that serious safety concerns existed at the "Senehase Kedella Mawpiya Sewana" elderly care home in Batagoda, Horana, where a fire claimed the lives of 12 people.

Presenting facts before court, police stated that the facility had iron-barred doors installed at both the front and rear entrances, which had reportedly been locked in a manner that prevented residents from exiting the premises.

According to court submissions, elderly residents had made desperate attempts to escape during the fire.

Police said the bodies of six victims who were unable to escape due to the locked doors were found near the front entrance of the building.

Police further informed the court that the body of a person...