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Fierce sun warnings ignored by festival organisers
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Braving the hot sun, these children participate in a bun-eating competition at an Avurudu festival. Pic by Krishan Jeewaka Jayaruk
Despite a joint warning issued by the Health Ministry and the Meteorological Depart-ment advising that care be taken over exposure to the fierce sun, Avurudu sports celebrations are being conducted as usual.
The Meteorology Department forecasts that the heatwave that began in early March will continue until mid-May 2019 but ministries and other organisations are ignoring the warning and continuing to hold lengthy outdoor Avurudu activities.
The National Unity and Reconciliation Ministry held its New Year celebration in Jaffna on April 9 at the Duraiappa Sports-ground with former president Chandrika Kumara-natunge Banda-ranaike as chief guest to watch cultural dancing and outdoor sports.
Red Bull in Sri Lanka held its first rowing boat competition, on March 28, to mark Avurudu.
Other celebrations galore are being held around the country with village groups organising marathons and cycle races to mark the festival.
A three-day heat alert has been issued covering most parts of the North-Central, North-Western, Eastern and Western provinces and the Galle, Moneragala, Mannar, Vavuniya and Mullaitivu districts.
People living in areas where temperatures reached 27-41C can be harmed by prolonged exposure, with the risk of cramps and exhaustion, the Meteorology Department said.
In encouraging news so far, the National Hospital Colombo said there have been fewer cases of heat stroke reported this season.
Hospital Director Kumara Wickramasinghe said event organisers should pay heed to the heat stroke warnings and encourage participants to drink plenty of water and keep themselves cool.
He said, in particular, children and people aged over 65 years should protect themselves from exposure and keep themselves hydrated by drinking lots of water.