THE death toll from a blaze at an unregistered care home in western Sri Lanka for patients with mental illness has risen to 13, an official has said.

There were 71 people residing at the home in Anguruwatota, a small town south-east of the capital Colombo.

Many of them were rescued by neighbours, emergency services and seven were hospitalised, three of whom later died of their injuries, it has been reported.

The director of the home has already been arrested on suspicion of causing death through negligence.

He appeared in court on Thursday and has been detained while an investigation is under way.

An employee at the home, Dhanuja Chathuranga, 32, told the Associated Press that they suspect the fire was caused by an electric short circuit in a wire attached to a water pump.

Chathura Mihudum, director of the National Secretariat for Elders, said the facility was not registered as a nursing home and only has capacity for around 15 people.