A married couple residing in a rented house in the Meepilimana area of Nuwara Eliya was found dead early this morning (03) with the deaths suspected to have been caused by inhaling toxic smoke.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) in charge of the Nuwara Eliya Division stated that the couple, who were residents of Avissawella, had been engaged in the construction of a tourist hotel in the Meepilimana area and were temporarily staying in a nearby rented house pending the completion of the construction work.
Preliminary investigations have revealed that, due to the extremely cold weather conditions prevailing in the Nuwara Eliya area, the couple had lit a barbecue (BBQ) stove and placed it inside their bedroom before going to sleep.
Early this morning, relatives who attempted to contact the couple by telephone received no response and they had subsequently alerted the area Grama Niladhari. Upon visiting the house to check on the couple, the Grama Niladhari discovered them both dead and proceeded to inform the Nanu Oya Police.
According to the Nanu Oya Police, the deceased man was a 52-year-old ship captain, while his wife was 46-years-old.
