Three people, including a school student, were killed this morning (04) when a large eucalyptus tree fell onto a three‑wheeler travelling from Mapakanda to Nawalapitiya.

It is reported that the victims were a school student, his mother, and another woman.

The driver of the three‑wheeler escaped with his life. The accident is reported to have occurred around 6:45 am.

Local police officers and residents later removed the bodies trapped under the fallen tree and transported them to the Nawalapitiya District General Hospital.

The Nawalapitiya Police have launched further investigations into the incident. (Newswire)

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Thirteen schoolchildren and a van driver were injured when a school transport vehicle overturned off the road in Nawalapitiya this morning (05).

According to the Police, the school van fell into a 10- foot precipice around 06.30 am today. 

The van had been transporting students from Katabula, Nawalapitiya, to Harangala when the accident occurred.

The Police said the injured children include 11 girls and 2 boys. 

The injured schoolchildren and the van driver have been admitted to the Nawalapitiya District Hospital. (Newswire/ Image- Accident1st)

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The Nawalpitiya–Kandy main road, which was blocked by a landslide caused by Cyclone Ditwah, was reopened for traffic today (15 Dec) after 18 days.

The soil that fell onto the road due to the landslide has been cleared, and the road has been restored. 

However, reports indicate that there is still a risk of further landslides from the slope above, and until permanent solutions are provided, the road has been made safe only for controlled travel.

The Road Development Authority has requested drivers to operate vehicles cautiously until work at the site is fully completed.

It was also noted that restrictions have been imposed on the movement of heavy vehicles along this road.

The repair work was carried out with the participation of the Road Development Authority, the 6th Engineering Regiment, Nawalpitiya and Athgala Police Stations, and the Pasbage Korale Pradeshiya Sabha. (Newswire)

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A landslide occurred today (28) at the old railway yard road in Nawalapitiya, collapsing onto a house and claiming the lives of three members of the same family.

According to Nawalapitiya Police, the deceased are a woman, her mother-in-law, and a three‑month‑old infant.

It was reported that heavy rainfall in the Nawalapitiya area triggered the landslide onto the house. Despite extensive rescue efforts by local residents together with Nawalapitiya Police officers, they were unable to save the victims.

The bodies of the deceased have been placed at the Nawalapitiya District General Hospital.

Due to adverse weather conditions, five people have died in the Nawalapitiya area so far, while nearly 50 families have been relocated to safe camps, according to Nawalapitiya Divisional Secretary Ramya Jayasundara. (Newswire)

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A tense situation was reported between villagers and Sri Lankan pastor, Jerome Fernando during the latter’s visit to Meepitiya in Nawalapitiya today. 

The Nawalapitiya Police had intervened to diffuse the tension between the pastor and area residents.

The villagers had alleged that the pastor was building a religious site under the pretext of constructing a rehabilitation centre and that no state entities had been informed in this regard.

Pointing out that the village is made of people from all religions residing in harmony, the villagers alleged that people who create discord between religions will not be allowed to destroy the existing peace in the Nawalapitiya area.

Due to the protest by the villagers, pastor Jerome Fernando has been reportedly forced to leave the area. 

Taking to ‘Facebook’, Pastor Jerome Fernando claimed that the incident was part and parcel of the calling of a Prophet.

“Travelled 130 km to inaugurate the prayer mountain this morning, only to be threatened by trespassing villagers, disallowed to pray on Church property, commanded to leave the property, thrown mud at and was sarcastically spoken to by a police officer that if they threw a president out of the country then they can do the same to me. This is part and parcel of the calling of a Prophet and this comes to me as no surprise. Sri Lanka needs Help!” he added. 

Watch :  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6p0UZu70bOU (Newswire)

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Two suspects who had injured a Chinese tourist while attempting to steal a mobile phone from a train plying through Kandy have been arrested by the Nawalapitiya Police.

According to Lankadeepa, three suspects standing on a rock by the railway track close to the Inguruoya Railway Station in Nawalapitiya had used a stick to knock the mobile phone out of the hands of a female Chinese Tourist who was videoing the scenery.

However, the suspect with the stick had hit the tourist instead of the phone, injuring her. 

The incident is reported to have taken place while the tourist was onboard the Udarata Menike train which had left from Colombo- Fort to Badulla.

The Nawalapitiya Police have arrested two suspects, while investigations are underway to apprehend a third suspect. (NewsWire)

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Two children have died in separate accidents reported in the Nawalapitiya and Vakarai areas within the last 24 hours ending at 8.00 am today, it was reported.

According to Lankadeepa, a 09-year-old child died after getting strangled in a baby cradle made using a saree in a house in the Montecristo Watte area in Nawalapitiya.

The Police stated that the cradle had been put up for another infant in the house and had been used as a swing by the older child during which she had accidentally gotten strangled.

Meanwhile, a 14-year-old child died after a locally made weapon had accidentally fired in the Kattamuri forest area in Vakarai, Batticaloa.

Police investigations have revealed that the incident had occurred when the child had accompanied his relatives for hunting.

Three persons aged 24, 28, and 32 years have been arrested over the incident. (NewsWire)

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