Father lodges complaint after son suffers brain damage in Colombo Swimming Club pool

1 October 2025 01:56 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 13 Bookmark

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Colombo, October 1 (Daily Mirror) - The father of an eight-year-old boy has lodged a complaint against the Colombo Swimming Club, alleging negligence after his son fell into the pool and suffered brain damage.

The father, Prasad Panagoda, told the Daily Mirror that the club had failed to provide any details regarding the incident.

“The doctors asked us for information such as how long it took to provide oxygen to my son and when the ambulance arrived. However, the club officials have not given us proper details. They also did not have CCTV facilities. Therefore, we decided to lodge a complaint with the Kollupitiya Police,” he said.

“We were told that our son has suffered brain damage, and he has been in critical condition since Sunday,” he added.

The child, a student of S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, had been invited to a birthday party at the club when he fell into the pool during the celebration.

Meanwhile, SJB's Rehan Jayawickreme also urged the Police and other authorities to actively pursue the matter and treat it as a criminal offence.

Meanwhile, a communique issued to its members by the Colombo Swimming Club said the club had given emergency care to the child who is in critical condition after nearly drowning in the pool on Sunday.

“It was the lifeguard who took the child out of the pool and gave him emergency care until he was taken to the hospital. There was a doctor among the guests who helped the child,” the communique said.

The club told its members that it is willing to cooperate with any investigation into the incident.

It was also revealed that the child was swimming in the pool when the tragedy occurred.

Comments - 13

john Frazer Wednesday, 01 October 2025 03:26 PM

Its seems clubs's lack of Health and safty measures . If it was a pool birthday party for the 8 year old ones espacelly ther should have been a life gards depnding on the numebrs of children.

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Neesha Wednesday, 01 October 2025 03:37 PM

Very tragic and I can't imagine their pain. However, the club is not entirely at fault here. This is Sri Lanka. Safety standards and emergency response are very different to a western nation. The adults at the party should have been supervising the children. When booking the party they should have ensured facilities were available in case of an emergency. The parents should not have sent their child to the party without checking for safety risks either. These are basic common sense practices.

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Dr. Dee esquire Wednesday, 01 October 2025 03:45 PM

Don’t they know what having a life guard means? Is it the Colombo Swimming Club or something like those shacks on marine drive? How irresponsible!

3 16

Be Fair Wednesday, 01 October 2025 04:07 PM

Oh, very sad to hear this story, and happening at a such a prestigious club. I only hope and pray that the child have a speedy recovery

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Mohan Wednesday, 01 October 2025 04:40 PM

Tragic. Hope the outcome is good. Definitely a problem. If they rent out for parties, they have an obligation to make the pool safe as all the party goers may not be swimmers. If it was a swimming class then the coach is responsible. if it is normal swimming then life guards have to be there.

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Dr Tissa Fernando Wednesday, 01 October 2025 04:46 PM

He fell or he was pushed? Most likely scenario was that he was pushed at un unexpected time so he was not prepared. Why is The club hiding the details. Someone in the party should have seen what happened.

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BuffaloaCitizen Wednesday, 01 October 2025 05:17 PM

First, who decided to have a Birthday Part for 8y old kids next to a swimming pool knowing very well how things can get out of control when children start playing. Second, if this father had taught his son to behave and be disciplined at the Birthday Party without jumping around like an uncontrolled monkey this would have never happened. So, now the blame goes to everybody else but not himself.

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DM observer Wednesday, 01 October 2025 09:11 PM

From my personal experience, I can state that a child can be perfectly well-behaved and end up getting pushed in, either by accident or deliberately. At my 4th birthday party, I was standing by our garden pond and looking at the fish, along with some neighbours' kids. Suddenly, I found myself neck-deep in the water. The front house neighbour's grandson, who was several years older than me, had pushed me in deliberately. My mother, who was the nearest adult at hand, jumped in and brought me out. That was decades ago. Being a parent is a full-time job, whether one likes it or not!

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Amila Wednesday, 01 October 2025 05:30 PM

Brain injuries are very serious. Immediate treatments are needed to avoid severe consequences.

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Ylg Wednesday, 01 October 2025 07:16 PM

I believe there is a new board now. They look inefficient.

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Disgusted citizen Wednesday, 01 October 2025 07:29 PM

An eight year old needs a guardian to be by the side,lots of questions unanswered

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premaratna Thursday, 02 October 2025 01:01 PM

Tragic. It's also sad that the failed politican Rehan was banned from this club years ago, since going on a binge drinking session is frowned upon. Sad grapes

1 4

Sivapalan Varatharajan Thursday, 02 October 2025 02:23 PM

Number of people are to be blamed. The organisers, supervisors at a children’s ‘party, the parent, pool attendant, the club authorities, the student from STC would have known how to float, first aid provider basic life support,

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