The Gampola Athgala Police said that four injured persons were hospitalised after the grease pole made for the New Year games collapsed on them.
The accident happened during the New Year games held at Gampola Rajaalagama.
A large number of people including nearby villagers participated in this year’s festival which was held on April 15. A gift of Rs.15,000 had been allocated by the organising committee for the winners of the grease pole competition.
A group of five were competing in the contest trying to grab the flag on top of the grease pole when it collapsed. The injured were taken to hospital immediately. Their condition is not serious, hospital sources said.
However, the organizers decided to award them the prize money of Rs.15,000 and also those present for the festival also collected 15,000 rupees more and the young men still in the hospital had received Rs.30,000.
Suranga Dilhan