November 06, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s Police Life Saving Division has revealed that 230 people have died in drowning incidents across the island so far this year, with most of the victims being young individuals.
Despite the grim figures, rescuers have successfully saved 195 people from similar fates during the same period — a group comprising 135 Sri Lankans and 60 foreign nationals — through swift and coordinated response efforts.
Tragedy struck again yesterday when five young men from the Kiribathgoda–Makola area lost their lives while bathing in the Deduru Oya at Halawatha. The victims had reportedly travelled there for a day trip, and among them were two boys under 16 years old.
Authorities have once more appealed to the public to remain vigilant around rivers, lakes, and coastal areas, particularly during holidays and festive periods when recreational water activities are most frequent.
