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Drownings take a toll on lifesavers and rescuers
Two young men, aged 17 and 19, drowned in a lake in Dehiattakandiya this week. Pix by N.W.Kumara
Drowning deaths are preventable and plenty of efforts are made to raise awareness and warn people, but the deaths are rising while law-and-order bodies and volunteers of international and local non-profit groups that intervene are feeling the strain.
In the year to May, 148 bodies of people who drowned have been recovered, according to Sri Lanka Navy.
Bathing in water bodies after consuming alcohol, engaging in water-borne sports without swimming skills, getting into unknown water bodies, suicide attempts, and falls while fishing, have been identified by Navy’s diving and salvage unit as main reasons for drowning deaths.
“The Navy faces hardships in these efforts, as the price of driving equipment has risen sharply and they have to incur considerable expenses when transporting men and equipment to distant locations,” the Navy said.
Several died from drowning this week. Two young men, aged 17 and 19, drowned in a lake in Dehiattakandiya. The youths had spent a day at a relative’s place in Dehiattakandiya after returning from a pilgrimage.
Another boy, 16, died from drowning in Kumbukkan Oya. A man, 37, drowned in a lake in Galkiriyagama. A youth, 22, drowned in Sudu Ganga in Matale.
A Russian tourist, 29, a guest at a hotel in Narigama, died in the waters off Hikkaduwa. He had ignored warnings from hotel workers about the unusually rough sea.
Asanka Nanayakkara, chief executive officer of Sri Lanka Life Saving, said there are about 2,300 lifesavers and most are volunteers.
“There are plenty of inland waterways, ranging from unprotected wells to uncounted lakes and streams. Annual drowning deaths which were about 750 in 2020 has increased to about 1,100. About 100 of the deaths were children and the majority young people. About 15-20 are foreigners,” he said.
The use of alcohol and hypnotic drugs during trips, too, are a contributory factor for drowning deaths among the youth, he said.
“Not only is there a shortage of lifeguards, there is also a big demand for our professional lifeguards in overseas hotels and beaches especially in the Middle East with their salary ranging from Rs. 250,000 to Rs 300,000 a month. The best way is to train and encourage community lifesavers,” he said. Sri Lanka Life Saving along with Sarvodaya and USAID are training youth from a number of districts to be community lifesavers.
“Unfortunately, schools have yet to introduce swimming as a survival skill. When schools are focused on competitions they put pressure on students, making it an unpleasant sport for many,” he said.
Mr. Nanayakkara said the prime minister, who is also minister of local government will be asked to get local governments to be involved in water safety.
“While they promote tourist attractions, local councils are reluctant to allocate funds to post signs, get a lifesaver or even have a post or hut with locally made rescue equipment such as floaties and ropes,” he said.
Mount Lavinia beach: A lifeguard stands vigil. Pic by Eshan Fernando
Police Spokesperson Senior Superintendent Nihal Thalduwa said the police lifesaving unit needs to be further strengthened. “Training of personnel takes time. Unfortunately, the majority of drownings take place at unknown places.’’
He said police dogs were used to detect alcohol and drugs from being brought into sites of worship during the Poson week and to prevent consumption of alcohol near water bodies. Over 350 lifeguards were available around lakes and tanks in Anuradhapura.
Two 18-year-old girls drowned while bathing in the sea near the Kirinda temple on Friday. The tragedy took place while the girls were enjoying a trip to the area with their families. Rough sea conditions delayed the recovery of one of the bodies. The body was later recovered.
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