Seven Buddhist monks, including Russian, Romanian, and Indian nationals, were killed in a cable car crash at the Na Uyana Aranya forest monastery in Pansiyagama, Kurunegala.
The monks were using the cable car to return to the hilltop monastery after a religious ceremony when one of its supporting cables snapped around 9 p.m. Tuesday, sending the car plunging down the slope.
Thirteen monks were on board at the time of the accident. Seven were killed while six others, all Sri Lankan monks, remain hospitalized at the Kurunegala Teaching Hospital with serious injuries, hospital sources said.
The deceased were identified as:
1. Ven. Malwanegama Samiddhi Thera, 47
2. Ven. Nawalpitiye Uttarananda Thera, 27
3. Ven. Nugegoda Vipassi Thera, 37
4. Ven. Dhammagavesi Thera, 31, of India
5. Ven. Udawalawa Santasumana Thera, 59
6. Ven. Dhammarasī Thera, 48, of Romania
7. Ven. Dhamarakkhita Thera, 48, of Russia
Two monks managed to leap out of the car before the fall, sustaining minor injuries.
Na Uyana Aranya is one of Sri Lanka’s most prominent meditation monasteries, attracting both local and international monks and lay practitioners. Situated on a steep mountain ridge, access to the monastery includes a long staircase and a cable car used to transport monks and supplies.
Police have launched an investigation into the incident. (Newswire)
