Sri Lanka, Sept. 5 -- Thirteen of the deceased in the Ella bus tragedy were employees of the Tangalle Urban Council, police confirmed. Tangalle Urban Council Secretary T. W. K. Rupasinghe was also among those present. He is a father of three and a resident of Ambalangoda.

In total, 15 people, including six men and nine women, lost their lives when a bus toppled down a 1,000-foot slope along the Ella-Wellawaya main road last night (04) around 9.00 p.m.

Police said the accident occurred between the 23rd and 24th kilometre posts in the Ella Police Division, when the bus, travelling towards Wellawaya, collided with an oncoming jeep and the roadside iron fence before veering off the road.

The bus was carrying about 30 passengers, returning ...