Sri Lanka has been struck by a series of tragic drowning incidents this week, resulting in the deaths of 13 individuals across three separate locations. The incidents occurred in the Mahaweli River, Deduru Oya, and Habaraduwa beach.
Eight Dead in Deduru Oya Tragedy
The deadliest incident unfolded on Tuesday, April 16, in the Deduru Oya near the Makeliya Kuriyagahamankada area of Kobeigane. A group of 15 individuals, all from the same household and including seven visitors from Kadawatha, went bathing when ten were swept away by the strong current. Search operations, which involved the Navy's diving unit, concluded on April 17 with the recovery of all eight missing individuals, bringing the total confirmed death toll to eight. The deceased include six males and two females, with reports indicating three schoolchildren were among the victims. The first two bodies recovered were identified as a 70-year-old male and a 34-year-old female, both residents of Kobeigane. Two individuals – a man and a woman – were rescued and hospitalized, with one currently receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The recovered bodies have been placed at the mortuary of the Nikaweratiya Hospital.
Three Brothers Drown in Mahaweli River
Earlier in the week, on Tuesday, April 14, three brothers from the same family drowned in the Mahaweli River near the Somawathiya Reserve in Serunuwara. The brothers, identified as residents of Mahindapura and aged 24, 34, and 35, were bathing with their father and another sibling, both of whom survived the incident. The sons had returned from Colombo to their village for the New Year celebrations. Search operations conducted by the Sri Lanka Navy and Serunuwara Police led to the recovery of two bodies (aged 35 and 34) on April 15, and the third and final body (aged 24) on April 16, all near the Verugal Aru area.
Two Drown at Habaraduwa Beach
On the same day as the Mahaweli River tragedy, Tuesday, April 14, two individuals drowned while bathing at Habaraduwa beach. Police identified the deceased as residents of Katunayake, with one victim confirmed to be 21 years old.