Week of tragedy: Five young lives lost in drowning incidents

One child who reportedly had no swimming experience, was sent to the deep end of the pool

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya   

This week saw a series of tragic incidents in which at least five students lost their lives, most in drowning accidents reported from different parts of the country.   

The first incident was reported on Sunday (6) in Dikwella, where a 17-year-old schoolboy, Srihaan Wishmika Sashendra Deshapriya Ilankanadan, drowned while attempting to retrieve a cricket ball that had fallen into his school swimming pool.   

According to reports, Srihaan had been playing cricket with classmates when the ball landed in the pool. Despite his friends urging him to leave it, he removed his shirt and jumped in. He struggled after swimming a short distance, and two friends who tried to save him also began to drown. They were rescued by others nearby, but Srihaan died in the incident.   

In the second incident, eight-year-old Master Arlan, who was critically injured after falling into a swimming pool during a private birthday party at the Colombo Swimming Club, succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday (7). >>A2

Arlan had been on life support at Nawaloka Hospital for several days due to severe brain injuries. His father lodged a police complaint alleging negligence by the club, claiming no lifeguard was on duty at the time.   

The club, in a statement, said a lifeguard had rescued the child and provided emergency care with the help of a doctor among the guests until medical personnel arrived. The Kollupitiya Police are conducting further investigations.   

The third tragedy occurred on Wednesday (8) when a five-year-old preschooler from Keble College International School drowned during swimming lessons at the Sanhinda Leisure Centre in Mirihana.   

Around 30 students had been participating in the session under the supervision of teachers and a coach. However, the child, who reportedly had no swimming experience, was sent to the deep end of the pool. His father alleged that the coach had left to train senior students when the incident happened.   

Workers repairing the roof spotted the child floating and raised the alarm. His elder sister, who was also present, pulled him out of the pool. The boy was rushed to the Colombo South Teaching Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.   

Police arrested seven individuals, including the assistant principal, sports coordinator, two teachers, a preschool staff member, and two swimming instructors, over alleged negligence.   

Meanwhile, in a separate incident, two 13-year-old boys from Tennekumbura, Kandy- identified as K. Jagathis and Mohamed Milhan — who had gone missing on Wednesday morning, were found drowned in the Mahaweli River yesterday.   

According to police, the boys were last seen heading towards the river. Their bodies were later recovered at Gurudeniya, about 2.5 kilometres from the Tennekumbura Bridge.