Over 75 taken ill after insecticide spraying

by Jayampathy Jayasinghe

Two persons were taken in for questioning by the police following the spraying of a insecticide in Kaladi in Kathankudi area that resulted in over 75 persons, mostly schoolchildren falling ill after inhaling the noxious fumes last Friday. The two male suspects were produced in court and released on bail, police said

According to OIC Kathankudi police station, Chief Inspector H. M. P. Herath the victims in this case had been pupils and two teachers of the Vivekananda school. They had complained of dizziness soon after the school session had began around 7.30 a. m. The sick persons were then rushed to the Batticoloa hospital. Most of the patients were discharged after treatment on Saturday morning, police said.

The incident took place after two persons who lived close to Vivekananda school had sprayed some noxious type of insecticide in their flower garden that caused nausea and vomiting among schoolchildren and teachers.

Two persons were said to be in a critical condition. Police have launched an investigation in to the incident to ascertain whether the spraying of insecticide was a deliberate act to cause panic in the area.