Poisonous almsgiving

Rafik Jalaldeen

A monk passed away due to food poisoning in the Kandy hospital yesterday afternoon, police spokesman SSP Ranjith Gunasekera said.

Venerable Ankumbure Seelanandha Thera (23) of Atharagellane Sri Abinawarama Viharaya was admitted to hospital on June 7 following food poisoning after attending an almsgiving in the morning.

Initially, the monk had been treated in the Bakamuna hospital, later he was transferred to the Kandy hospital where he was being treated at the ICU.

”The monk passed away due to food poisoning around 2.30 p.m. in the Kandy hospital,” SSP Gunasekera said.

He said three women who cooked the meal were arrested and released on bail last Friday. “However, police will be conducting further investigations on the direction of the Magistrate,” he added.