Nalanda Hall gutted

COLOMBO: The Malalasekara Hall at Nalanda College, Colombo, was gutted by fire.

The fire had broken out in the wee hours of yesterday. The fire brigade extinguished the blaze in around 90 minutes.

The fire has damaged the structure, seats and the screen of the hall, one of the best such facilities among Colombo schools.

The hall was opened 16 years ago. Police, Government Analyst's Department and the Ceylon Electricity Board are investigating. No cause has been established yet.

Hall keeper Chintaka Ruwan Kumara who had been sleeping in the hall was rescued by school watcher H. Gunapala.