Labour Department to launch inquiry into Horana accident

Colombo (News1st) - The department of labour says that an investigation will be conducted into the Industrial accident which took place at the rubber factory in Ballapitiya , Horana. yesterday which claimed the lives of 5 people. Commissioner of Labour, A. Wimalaweera said that a special team will be dispatched for this purpose. He added that the work at the factory will be suspended if investigations reveal that the accident took place due to poor compliance of safety measures. Police Media Spokesperson SP Ruwan Gunasekara last evening confirmed that the manager of the factory was arrested for carrying out reckless operations. At around 1:20pm yesterday (April 19th) an employee at the rubber factory fell into an ammonia tank, 04 others who rushed to his rescue also died. 15 people were rendered unconscious due to the incident. Hospital Superintendent Thamara Kalubowila said one of them is being treated in the ICU. Among those admitted are two women and the bodies of the victims have been placed at the Hospital Morgue for the post-mortem examination.