Saltwater croc kills swimmer off Dehiwala

By Ifham Nizam

A saltwater crocodile attack was extremely rare, Dr. Anslem de Silva of the Amphibia and Reptile Research Organisation of Sri Lanka said yestrday commenting on the death of a swimmer in the sea off Colombo.

De Silva told The Island yesterday usually seawater crocodiles migrated between Wellawatte and Panadura canal.

He said that public should not panic as it was a very uncommon occurrence and he had shared details with the Department of Wildlife.

Police Headquarters said a man who was swimming in the seas off Dehiwala had died following an attack by a crocodile.

Kalubowila Teaching Hospital Director Dr. Rukshan Bellana said that the deceased was a 57-year-old male.

Police said the incident had taken place when the crocodile attempted to drag away the swimmer.

Dr. de Silva along and his son Panduka were recently appointed Crocodile Consultants by the Indian government to inspect species in the Anadaman Islands.