• Proposal includes introducing swimming and life-saving skills in schools
• The Ministry of Defence is in discussions to establish a national programme to address the growing number of drowning incidents across the country, with the support of the Ministries of Environment, Health and Education, the Sri Lanka Tourism Board, the National Cadets Corps and the Police Life Saving Division.

Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (12), Deputy Defence Minister Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd) said that the initiative aims to reduce water-related accidents by the end of 2028.

He noted that recent months had seen numerous drowning incidents reported not only at sea but also in inland reservoirs. "It is hard to give coverage to all these places where the accidents are reported by the Sri Lanka Coast Guard, Life Saving Division, and the Tourism Board alone. The technology, equipment, and human resources are not sufficient. Hence, we are discussing a national-level programme with the Environment Ministry, Tourism Board, Defence Ministry, Health Ministry, and the Education Ministry, with the help of the National Cadets Corps and the Life Saving Division of the Police," he said.

Jayasekara said that the Ministry was also studying the feasibility of introducing swimming and life-saving skills into the school curriculum. "A separate study is needed to see how this measure can be taken in order to offer this skill to children from a young age, to stay safe and save others in need during a water-related accident. Not only drownings, but we are also looking at how we can save someone from a fire, or an accident at home, on the road, or at a playground. We also want children to learn first aid and what to do until a patient is transported to hospital," he said.

He added that the programme would be implemented in collaboration with the Ministries of Education and Health.

The Deputy Minister's remarks follow an inquiry by The Daily Morning after reliable sources confirmed that many public beaches, including Tangalle, Matara, Polhena, Dikwella, Ussangoda, Hambantota, Crow Island, Calido Beach, Chilaw and Ahangama, currently have no lifeguards despite attracting large crowds, particularly during public holidays.

Although the Sri Lanka Police and the Police Marine Division continue to urge the public to exercise caution near water, Police data show that 75 drowning deaths have been reported across the country so far this year (2026).