Five people were killed and three others injured in a collision involving a tipper truck and a tractor in Kumbukkana, Monaragala, on Friday morning (21), police said.
The accident occurred on the Kumbukkana Kalu Bridge along the Wellawaya–Monaragala Road when a tipper truck travelling towards Wellawaya collided with a tractor approaching from the opposite direction.
Police said 10 people were travelling on the tractor’s trailer at the time of the collision. Eight of them sustained serious injuries and were admitted to the Monaragala District General Hospital.
Five later succumbed to their injuries while receiving treatment, while the other three remain hospitalised.
The deceased, aged 21, 26, 31, 55 and 56, were residents of Dodamgaslanda, Buttala and Horabokka, according to police.
The drivers of both the tipper truck and the tractor have been arrested in connection with the accident.
Monaragala Police are conducting further investigations.
