Six people lost their lives and seven others were injured after a cab crashed into a crowd waiting in line at a Vesak dansala near Meegoda Junction on Sunday night.
According to Police, the accident occurred along High Level Road within the Meegoda Police Division when a cab travelling from Avissawella towards Colombo veered into a group of people gathered at the roadside dansala.
Thirteen injured individuals were rushed to Homagama Hospital following the incident. Police said three men and three women had died from their injuries before admission to the hospital.
The deceased men, aged between 35 and 38, were residents of Hanwella and Avissawella. The deceased women, aged between 15 and 56, were from the Piliyandala area.
Police officers stationed at Meegoda Junction responded immediately and arrested the driver, who was allegedly attempting to flee the scene. The cab involved in the crash was also taken into custody.
Investigations revealed that the 42-year-old suspect, a resident of Piliyandala, was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident, according to Police.
The seven injured victims remain under treatment at Homagama Hospital, while Meegoda Police have launched further investigations into the incident.
