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Five die in tank riddled with pits
View(s):Five people, including four from one family, were drowned while bathing in the Kirama Warapitiya tank in Weeraketiya this week. Giving evidence at a coronial inquiry, Mr. K. Gunamaris said his sister K. Sujatha had told him her family were going to the tank to bathe and wash clothes as water was scarce in the area. “They go to the tank to wash their clothes once in a week. Life was extremely difficult for them,” he said.
The tank where the tradegy occured
Sujatha, 47, drowned along with family members K.H. Premadasa, 48, K. Wasula, 21, and K.T. Bhagaya. The other victim was a 21-year-old student, A. Chaturangi. Despite the tank being unsafe for bathing, crowds – including many schoolchildren – throng the spot to bathe because there was a severe shortage of water in the area.
A local resident said drownings were frequent, and he and others called for danger signs to be displayed around the tank to help minimise accidents. Those who gave evidence at the coronial inquiry said local youth had no training in lifesaving operations.
One person, W. K. Dharmasiri, said the Department of Irrigation had dug sand from the tank bed and those who come to bathe were unaware that there were deep pits invisible from the surface. Most deaths by drowning were caused by people falling into these pits.