A 52-year-old man from Akmeemana stabbed his 49-year-old wife set her on fire and then set himself on fire on Tuesday.

The two were rushed to hospital by neighbours but succumbed to their injuries.

Police said initial investigations revealed that the couple had been separated for some time and the altercation occurred when the husband visited his wife, leading to the disastrous deaths of the couple.

Akmeemana Police are conducting further investigations into the incident.