Sri Lanka, June 7 -- As grieving families sought answers over the deaths of 13 residents in the Mawpiya Sevana Senehase Kedella fire in Batagoda, Anguruwathota, Social Security and Community Empowerment Minister Upali Pannilage yesterday appealed to Sri Lankans to care for their elderly parents and vulnerable relatives within the family home rather than elsewhere.

He said, "Such care has been a cherished role of the country's cultural heritage for generations."

While relatives who had entrusted the care of ageing parents and disabled family members to the institution have blamed its management for the tragedy, the Minister said no residential facility could fully replace the love, protection and dignity that elderly persons receive from...