Man dies in 'Hanuman' act in Lanka

COLOMBO: It was a tragic end for a 27-year-old man who died of burn injuries after his attempt to enact the 'Burning of the Lanka' by Lord Hanuman went awry during celebrations of a Tamil festival in Kandy region.

Kanapathi Rajah, dressed as the monkey-god during performance of the episodes of 'Ramayana', set a tail attached to his attire ablaze, but the flames swept fast and spread all over his body.

The incident took place at a temple in the hilly Kandy region on the Thaipongal Day last week.

Rajah was rushed to a hospital in Nawalapitiya, about 120 kms from Colombo, with severe burns, but succumbed to his injuries after two days of treatment, media reported here.