Steps to regulate boat services after Gregory Lake incident

By Sudath H.M. Hewa

Colombo, April 20 (Daily Mirror) - Nuwara Eliya Mayor Upali Wanigasekera says that measures will be taken to regulate boat services following an incident in which two tourist boats capsized at Gregory Lake.

Approximately 120 tourist boats operate on the lake, and after the accident yesterday (19), boat owners and operators were summoned and instructed to wear safety vests, adhere to reduced speed limits, and conduct rides in a safe and disciplined manner.

The incident occurred last  afternoon (19) when a boat carrying two tourists collided with another vessel travelling at high speed, causing it to capsize. The two tourists and the boat operator escaped without injuries.

The Sri Lanka Police said that the Nuwara Eliya Police have launched an investigation into the incident. Two boatmen were arrested on suspicion and later released on bail. Police said steps are underway to file a case against them at the Nuwara Eliya Magistrate’s Court.

A police officer further said that the mobile phones of the two tourists fell into the lake during the accident and could not be recovered. Boat owners have taken steps to compensate the tourists for the loss.