Youth stabbed to death after Deepavali-night dispute in Maskeliya

A 27-year-old man was stabbed to death on Deepavali night in the Puthukadu estate area of Maskeliya, within the Nallathanni police area, police said.

The victim, a resident of Marewatta in Maskeliya, was attacked with a sharp weapon around 11.30 pm on Sunday after a dispute broke out during a Deepavali celebration where liquor was being consumed.

His father, who tried to intervene, was also injured in the attack.

Police arrested a suspect in connection with the killing and are conducting further investigations, Nallathanni police said.

The killing came amid a spate of violent incidents reported across the hill country over the Deepavali weekend.