Badulla: father of two dies suddenly on Deepavali day

A 38-year-old man from the Madolsima area of Badulla, the father of two young children, died suddenly on Deepavali day, police said.

The family, which should have been celebrating the festival of lights observed by Hindus with the lighting of lamps, was instead plunged into unexpected grief.

The man, who earned his living as a three-wheeler driver, was driven to this state following a small family upset over making sweets for Deepavali, his wife said in sorrow. The couple had been married for 16 years and have an eight-year-old son and a three-year-old daughter; his wife works as an estate labourer.

Like many who struggle to support their families in small-income jobs such as driving a three-wheeler in the rural economy, he had toiled for the future of his two young children, those close to the family said.

Police are conducting further investigations into the incident.

Anyone suffering from mental stress or the burdens of life would do well to seek help immediately from relatives, friends or mental support services such as Sumithrayo. Small matters can build up inside into great distress, and the incident is a reminder that the attention and affection of those around us can help prevent such losses.