A man who attempted to commit suicide by pouring petrol over his head and igniting was saved and admitted to the Kataragama District Hospital with burn injuries. He succumbed to injuries later at the Kataragama Base Hospital, Kataragama police said. The man was identified as Abeysinghe Liyanarchchige Sumanasiri (59). a resident of Ranminitenne.
He had visited the Purana Kiri Vihara at the Kataragama Devala with petrol and poured the fuel over his body and ignited himself.
Devotees and kapu mahaththyas seeing what was happening had rushed to save the man. They have doused the fire with water taken from the bowser at the temple.
The fire had damaged the walls of the temple, Kataragama Devalaya Basnayake Nilame Dilruwan Rajapaksa said. The Viharadhipathi of the Kataragama Kirivehera Rajamaha Viharaya, Ven. Dhamminda Thera, said the incident would not be a problem for devotees to visit Kataragama. Police investigation continues.
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