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| Mauls,
mishaps mar New Year Additional Director of the National Hospital, Anil Jayasinghe who is in charge of the Accident Service told The Sunday Times, from New Years' night to the following noon, more than 600 patients had been admitted to the Accident Service. He said about 90 per cent of those who were admitted were under the influence of liquor and had been involved in brawls or road accidents. He said accidents at home had decreased drastically from 96 last year to 65 this year. In the past few years the highest number of casualties were caused by crackers, but this year he said due to public awareness campaigns carried out through the media and the National Hospital itself, there were less than 20 people admitted to the National Hospital due to injuries caused by fire crackers. In the past years, more than 400 people used to seek admission at the National Hospital due to injuries caused by fireworks, Dr. Jayasinghe said.When The Sunday Times visited the Accident Service, some of the victims spoke about their New Year bash- up. Jinadasa, a 76- year -old grand father from Gothatuwa said he had injured his hand while trying to settle a brawl between his two sons who had been under the influence of liquour. Relating his story Udaya Silva from Bandaragama said he met with an accident while he was riding his motorbike after consuming liquour. He said he was lucky to have got away with minor injuries, but his friend Saman, who was the pillion rider had to undergo surgery. Relating the incidents that led to another motor bike accident, 20 -year -old Nimal Sooriyasena, said he was travelling at high speed on High Level Road, when a group of boys had thrown some crackers at his bike. He said it was a miracle that he survived with only his left leg being broken in three places. A number of incidents had been reported from the outstations, with the worst being from Waduramba in Galle where one person was killed and more than 30 injured. The incident took place at a musical show where the Headquarters inspector Somasiri Liyanage was a guest. Half an hour into the musical show two youths had started an argument which soon turned into a brawl, Mr. Liyanage said.The police entered the scene to settle the dispute, when suddenly there was a loud bang and something like a ball of fire exploded in the air. Among the injured were 10 policemen. In another incident a New Year party ended abruptly when an argument between two people ended literally with a bang when one person shot the other. The injured 66 year-old man was a father of three. In Anuradhapura a party organised by the staff of the People's Bank at Anuradhapura, ended in tragedy with one man being stabbed. |
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