The British tourist and a German woman who died recently while staying at a hostel in Colombo 3 are believed to have been poisoned by pesticides used to kill bedbugs at the said hostel.

The former, 24, had been rushed to hospital on 1 February. She and another guest from Germany died after being treated for vomiting, nausea and breathing difficulties.

The exact cause of death is not known and a post-mortem examination is due to take place.

But, reports suggest that she and the unnamed German woman may have been poisoned by noxious pesticides intended to treat bedbugs in an adjacent room 72 hours before she collapsed.

The German woman is understood to have stayed in the same room as the British national at the Miracle Colombo City hostel which has now been shut down by investigators.

Another German national is still under treatment.

(Daily Mail)