Sri Lanka Life Saving (SLLS) has urged the public to prioritise safety measures to reduce water-related accidents, following a recent spate of drowning incidents. The three cousins who drowned in Norochcholai SLLS Chief Secretary P.K. Edirisinghe told the Sunday Times that a majority of drowning incidents occur due to carelessness and a lack of awareness [...]
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Sri Lanka Life Saving (SLLS) has urged the public to prioritise safety measures to reduce water-related accidents, following a recent spate of drowning incidents.
SLLS Chief Secretary P.K. Edirisinghe told the Sunday Times that a majority of drowning incidents occur due to carelessness and a lack of awareness regarding water safety.
Two tragic accidents were reported recently, underlining the importance of public awareness and life-saving skills to reduce fatalities.
Last Wednesday (June 10), two children drowned while bathing at Galle Face Beach, Colombo. The incident occurred when a group of six children went for a sea bath.
Another incident occurred in Puttalam on June 6, when three people, all cousins, drowned while bathing at the Daluwa estuary in Norochcholai.
Addressing the issue, Mr. Edirisinghe said people should avoid entering the water immediately after meals, on an empty stomach, or when feeling sick. He also issued a note of precaution for those with medical conditions such as epilepsy and heart-related issues.
He instructed the public to avoid bathing or swimming in secluded or unmonitored areas. Instead, he recommended swimming in areas marked with red or yellow flags, which indicate that lifeguards are in the vicinity and whether it is safe to enter the water.
Mr. Edirisinghe also noted that alcohol consumption is a major contributing factor in 40% of drowning incidents.
In addition to paying heed to official warning signs, Mr. Edirisinghe stressed the importance of checking with local residents about hidden dangers, such as underwater holes or the presence of crocodiles.
Furthermore, he advised that if entering the water as a group, everyone should not enter at the same time; instead, they should do so on a staggered basis.
He noted that SLLS is working in close cooperation with government bodies—including the Ministry of Disaster Management, the Ministry of Tourism, and the Ministry of Education—to ensure that life-saving services are available islandwide.
Mr. Edirisinghe urged school principals to contact the SLLS to arrange professional programmes on water safety and life-saving skills, emphasising the importance of teaching schoolchildren these abilities given that 60% of drowning victims are schoolchildren.
He stated that around 600 to 900 deaths occur due to drowning annually, and 75% of the victims are male.
Pointing out that most drowning incidents occur inland—especially in rivers, lakes, and canals rather than in coastal areas—he added that the majority of incidents occur in the Western Province, particularly during vacation periods.
“Every individual should possess basic swimming and life-saving skills. With proper awareness and by eliminating carelessness, we can significantly reduce such tragedies,” Mr. Edirisinghe said.
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Print Edition – The Sunday Times, Sri Lanka
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