Three Lankans drown daily

By Rathindra Kuruwita

About three Sri Lankans drown daily, according to doctors.

Consultant Community Physician at the Department of Non-Communicable Diseases of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Samitha Siritunga told the media on Tuesday that between 10,000 and 12,000 Sri Lankans died annually in accidents, and about 10 percent of those deaths were caused by drowning.

Annually, about 200,000 people drowned, Dr. Siritunga said.

Most of the Sri Lankans who drowned were above the age of 20, he said.

Dr. Senitha Liyanage, Consultant Emergency Physician, Colombo South Teaching Hospital – Kalubowila, said that one could drown even at home.

“There is a belief that to drown, the body of water must be at least five feet deep. However, infants are brought to the hospital after falling into water which is only six inches deep.

Some adults drown in water that is only one foot deep,” he said.

Dr. Liyanage said that a highly intoxicated person could easily fall into a ditch or a gully and drown.

“You can slip into a canal or a stream, hit your head, become incapacitated, and die. One has to be careful,” he said.

Asanka Nanayakkara, Chief Executive Officer at Sri Lanka Life Saving Association, said that some Sri Lankans believed that life jackets were for people who can’t swim. “Nothing can be further from the truth. You can be a champion swimmer and yet drown. Life jackets save lives.

“Sri Lanka Life Saving is ready to provide teaching and training to any school or other institution interested in lifesaving,” he said.