The two drivers of the racing cars involved in the deadly accident at the Fox Hill Supercross race in Diyatalawa on 21 April, who were arrested while undergoing treatment in hospital, have been remanded until 30 April.

This order has been issued by the Bandarawela Magistrate’s Court.

The two drivers of the racing cars involved in the accident at the Fox Hill Supercross in Diyatalawa on 21 April were arrested while undergoing treatment in hospital, the Police Media Division said.

Seven persons were killed while 23 others were injured following an accident during the Fox Hill Supercross 2024 racing event held in Diyatalawa on 21 April. The deceased individuals include six men (55-year-old Welimada resident Muththusamy Udayakumar, 19-year-old Seeduwa resident Chamath Niroshan, 20-year-old Akuressa resident Ashen Heenatigala, 32-year-old Rasika Abeynaike, 62-year-old Matara resident and father of two Aruna Shantha Upaligamage and Matara resident and father of three Ganesh Kamalanath) and a girl child (eight-year-old Shivakumar Dhanushika), according to the Police. Four of the deceased were officials of the racing event who were stationed as flag marshals, while the other three were civilian spectators. 

Police Media Spokesperson and Deputy Inspector General of Police Nihal Thalduwa stated that the incident occurred when a race car veered off the race track and collided with a group of spectators.

The Fox Hill Supercross 2024 racing event has now been temporarily suspended, the Police mentioned.

The Diyatalawa Police is conducting further investigations regarding the incident. Meanwhile, the Army has launched a separate internal investigation regarding the incident.

The 28th edition of the ‘Fox Hill Supercross’ organised by the Sri Lanka Military Academy Diyatalawa with the support of the Sri Lanka Automobile Sports kicked off at Diyatalawa on 21 April, after a hiatus of five years. The last event was also suspended midway due to the Easter Sunday terror attacks on 21 April 2019.