News
Forget the hornets; Sigiriya needs first aid
View(s):By Dilushi Wijesinghe
The Sri Lanka Red Cross Society has expressed its willingness to restart first aid services at Sigiriya if they are approached by the relevant authorities.
Director General of the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society, Dr. Mahesh Gunasekara stated that while the organisation previously operated a service point at the site under a contract with its management, services were discontinued after the COVID-19 pandemic due to the absence of a renewed agreement.
He emphasised that the Red Cross is prepared to resume operations if invited back, highlighting the urgent need for medical assistance at the popular tourist destination.
This comes following the death of a foreign tourist at the Sigiriya Rock Fortress last week (May 16) due to a medical emergency. An inquiry by the Coroner of the Dambulla Hospital revealed that the British national, aged 78, succumbed to a heart attack at the Kimbissa Hospital, the Police Media Division said.
Tourism Association representatives claimed that the tourist’s life could not be saved due to the lack of proper first aid services at Sigiriya.
Secretary of the Ceylon Spirit Tourism Association, N.P. Wijesinghe, stated that in the past two to three years, a total of six people—including tourists and tour guides—have died due to the absence of adequate first aid services at the site.
At a discussion held at the Department of Government Information, an official of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) told the media that an ambulance operated by the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society was supposed to be stationed at the site but was not present at the time of the emergency. However, the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society refuted this claim.
Dr. Gunasekara clarified that the Red Cross cannot operate independently without an official contract. He urged that this issue be treated as a matter of national interest, emphasising that a credible organization—whether the Red Cross or another responsible entity—should be designated to provide essential first aid services at the site.
He underscored the increasing need for medical services at Sigiriya, given its popularity as a tourist destination, particularly among senior visitors. “In such cases, a team must be deployed to handle emergencies effectively,” he said, stressing that immediate medical assistance is crucial.
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