• DMC blames bathing in unsafe water bodies and unfamiliar locations
• 5 including 2 children dead in Deduru Oya tragedy, youth swept away in Talalla seas

The number of fatal drownings in rivers, tanks and reservoirs has seen a sharp increase in recent times, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) noted.

The DMC Director Pradeep Kodippili said that bathing in unsafe locations is the main cause of such incidents. He therefore requested people to be mindful when entering water bodies at unfamiliar locations. He also requested the general public to adhere to directives issued by the authorities.

Meanwhile, five individuals, including two children, drowned in the Deduru Oya in Chilaw on Wednesday evening (5). According to the Police, a group of around 10 people from Kiribathgoda who were on a recreational trip to the Munneswaram temple in Chilaw had entered the Deduru Oya without proper knowledge of the water level. Out of the group, five people drowned – four of them died on the spot, while the fifth, a youth who was rescued after drowning, succumbed while receiving treatment after being admitted to the Chilaw District General Hospital. The deceased have been identified as residents of Makola and Grandpass, aged 12, 16, 19, and 27 years.

The search and rescue operation for the missing persons was conducted by the Chilaw Police, officers of the Police Life-Saving Unit, the Navy and area residents.

Meanwhile, a youth who was bathing at the Talalla beach had been swept away by strong currents, the Gandara Police stated. The incident occurred on Wednesday, and the missing person has been identified as a 19-year-old resident of Ransagoda. According to preliminary investigations, the youth had been bathing in the sea with five other individuals when he was dragged away by the current and disappeared. Lifeguards attached to the Hiriketiya Police Station, together with the Navy, have launched an operation to locate the missing youth.