CrimeGeneralHOTTuesday, April 7, 2026

Death Toll Rises to Six in Illegal Electric Fence Incidents

In two distinct incidents across Sri Lanka, a total of three individuals have lost their lives due to electrocution from unauthorized electric fences. In the Wewalawewa, Dambulla area, a 45-year-old man died on April 5 after encountering an illegal electric wire reportedly set up to deter wild animals from a cultivation plot. Police have since arrested a 56-year-old suspect in connection with this incident. Separately, in Bungalawatta, Polgahawela, two men, aged 28 and 35, residents of Ehaliyagoda, were fatally electrocuted by another unauthorized electric fence, also intended for crop protection. A caretaker of the land has been arrested in relation to the Polgahawela deaths. Police in Dambulla and Polgahawela are conducting further investigations into both cases.

2 Updates

Update #3\u00b7 Apr 10 · 6:46 AM

The death toll from illegal electric fence incidents has risen to six following another fatality reported on April 8th. A 60-year-old farmer died after coming into contact with an illegally erected electric fence in his garden in the Sinhala Walahawiddawewa area. The fence was reportedly set up to protect crops from wild elephants. Police have arrested a police sergeant, a resident of the same village and attached to Vavuniya Police, in connection with this incident.

Update #2\u00b7 Apr 7 · 4:46 AM

Two more individuals have died from electrocution in the Bangalawatta area of Polgahawela, bringing the total number of deaths from illegal electric fence incidents to five. The victims, aged 28 and 35, were residents of Eheliyagoda and came into contact with an illegally set up electric wire intended to protect a cultivation land from wild animals. The incident occurred on April 6th. Police have arrested a land caretaker in connection with the deaths and are conducting further investigations.

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