The Association of Divisional Secretaries' (DSs) and Assistant DSs has rejected allegations that the relevant Divisional Secretariat failed to act over issues at the Anguruwatota care home where 13 people died in a fire.

Association President R. Senthil said the Millaniya DS had informed the relevant authorities on several occasions about the long-standing problems at the facility.

A letter sent on 6 February had alerted the Secretariat for Persons with Disabilities, the Department of Social Services, the Police and other authorities.

The letter claimed the home, which began operating in November 2024 for females with mental illnesses, had later expanded to accommodate male residents as well.

The DS had pointed out the facility lacked proper health and safety standards, had no secure boundary fence and had experienced several incidents in which residents had escaped and died. 

The Association further stated the relevant DS had repeatedly instructed the operators to maintain proper hygiene, improve management and avoid exceeding the home's capacity, but those directions had allegedly not been followed.

The DS had therefore requested the relevant authorities to take appropriate action against the privately-run institution, which was accommodating people with mental illnesses without adequate regulation or supervision.

Meanwhile, post-mortem examinations on six more victims who died in the fire have been delayed as their relatives have yet to come forward to identify the bodies.

The remains have been placed in cold storage at the Kalutara Nagoda Maternity and Children's Hospital pending identification.