Chrishantha Herath, the Labour Officer of the Sri Lankan Embassy in Qatar confirmed the deaths.

Those who were killed in the incident, which the Labour officer believes to be an accident, are Thushitha Ananada Abeywickrema of Embilipitiya, Roshan Thushitha Kumara of Akuressa, Nimal of Chilaw, Amila Madhusanka of Bulathsinhala and Nalinda Kumara of Thambuththegama.

Two hospitalised

Another two Sri Lankans; Dulan Shalika Ratnasiri of Hatton and Vijitha Aluthgedera of Ginigathhena who were badly injured have been admitted to Hamad Hospital, Herath said.

He said another two Sri Lankans who were with them have escaped unhurt.

Herath said that no damage has been done to the adjoining three rooms of the same house where about twenty five Sri Lankans are living.

He said according to the information he got the cause of the fire which happened in the midnight on Tuesday was an electrical short circuit.

Accepting the fact that there are shortcomings in the provision of accommodations for the immigrant workers, Labour Officer Hearath said that these Sri Lankans were living in rented accommodation.

He said the companies they work are not responsible for what has happened as the employees had themselves hired the accommodation.

Skilled workers

"The companies provide accommodation allowance for them. These are skilled workers not labourers", he said.

Arrangements are being made to send the bodies to Sri Lanka by the Sri Lanka Embassy with the assistance of the Co-ordinating Committee of the Sri Lankan Community in Qatar but there is a delay because the Embassy is waiting for the Forensic report, analysts report and the police report, Herath added.