Trincomalee Magistrate T. L. A. Manaf returned a verdict of death by drowning in an incident in which two foreigners lost their lives when their vehicle rolled off a ferry and plunged into the water. The tragedy occurred last Wednesday in the Trincomalee district.
The victims were identified as Isoa Auyi Wara, from Japan, and Bolante Arunulfo, from the Philippines. Both were consultants working for the Japanese International Co-operation Agency (JICA). The agency is funding a bridge-building project in the area.
At the inquest, held on Friday at the Trincomalee magistrate’s court, it was revealed that the victims and two other JICA employees were on their way to inspect bridges being built across the Upparu and Ralkuli lagoons, along the A-15 highway, between Trincomalee and Muttur. The accident occurred on a stretch of water between Kinniya and Muttur, at a point where a branch of the Mahaweli River enters the sea.
According to the police report, the victims were seated inside the vehicle at the time of the accident. The bodies of the two foreigners were recovered after the vehicle was hauled ashore. Navy personnel helped in the recovery operation. |
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