Lankan embassy working to send fire victims’ bodies

The Sri Lankan embassy in Qatar is waiting for the local government offices to resume tomorrow to make arrangements for sending the bodies of five of its nationals.
The five were killed in a fire at their accommodation in Al-Maymoon Street, Shaara Asmakh on Wednesday night.
A Dharmakulasingham, charge de affaires at the mission, said the embassy would make arrangements for sending the bodies once the police investigation is over.
Lennie Cramer, president of the Sri Lankan Co-ordination Committee, said of the five victims, Roshan Thushita and Nimal were married. Nimal has an 11-year-old daughter as well.
Two wounded in the fire are still undergoing treatment, Cramer said.
At least two of those killed had been absconding from their sponsors. “None of those killed were labourers,” said a community member.
The accommodation where the victims were staying housed about 40 people, in six or seven rooms.
Every room reportedly houses six to seven people.
Most of those stayed at the ill-fated accommodation belonged to different companies.
Meanwhile Cramer said there was very good response from the community members to help the victims of the fire.
Already, foodstuff for at least one week has come and more is still expected, he said.
People donated pillows, bedsheets and other items for the injured, which were moved to a temporary accommodation in Abu Hamour.
Cramer said the SLCC was working to find a permanent accommodation to those who were rendered homeless.
Sri Lankan community representatives and embassy officials on Thursday visited the site of accident and Hamad hospital mortuary where the bodies were kept.
For making donation, contact Cramer (5608780), Ruwan Lankeshwara (5297126), Nimal Tedewapte (5830794) or Pennison Silva (5382301).