- Note that the image above was created by AI.
Kandy – April 24: A sacred pilgrimage to the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy turned tragic as four elderly devotees lost their lives and over 400 others were hospitalized amid sweltering heat, long queues, and overcrowding.
Police confirmed that three of the deceased—elderly pilgrims hailing from Kuliyapitiya, Bandaragama, and Galigamuwa—succumbed to heart attacks while waiting in the massive lines. A fourth victim, a woman from Kurunegala, died after being struck by a three-wheeler in the congestion near the temple precincts.
Two of the deaths occurred in the Ampitiya area where pilgrims had queued for hours in intense heat. Another woman passed away near Katugastota. All four were over 70 years old.
Hospital authorities in Kandy reported that 420 individuals were admitted for various health complications, including dehydration, fainting, and respiratory distress. An unspecified number of others were treated as outpatients for less severe conditions.
The sheer volume of devotees and the lack of adequate crowd management have raised concerns among local residents and officials. With the annual pilgrimage season in full swing, the tragedy has spotlighted urgent calls for improved medical response teams, shaded rest areas, and better crowd regulation in and around the revered Buddhist shrine.
As the nation mourns these preventable losses, questions remain over what measures will be taken to ensure the safety and dignity of elderly pilgrims seeking blessings at one of Sri Lanka’s holiest sites.
