Tractor driver drowns after vehicle plunges into Vienna canal

By Ranjith Karunaweera 

A tractor had fallen into the Vienna canal at Arawatta in Gemunupura in Mahiyangana on Monday evening, and the driver drowned. His body was recovered yesterday afternoon from the Diyabana Oya, about two kilometres away from the scene of the incident. 

The victim, Amila Niroshan (42), was an employee of the Mapakada tank unit of the Department of Irrigation, and a resident of Rideemaliyadda. He was the father of four children. 

Investigations revealed that the tractor had veered off the road owing to excessive speed before plunging into the canal. 

The tractor was recovered yesterday morning by the Mahiyangana Police with the help of the residents of the area and the Police Life Guard Unit in Teldeniya. 

Divers of the Police Life Guard Unit that launched a search for the missing driver, had recovered the body. 

Residents of the area said several fatal accidents had occurred at this location due to a lack of a safety fence.