Four females including three teenage girls, drowned last Saturday (31) at Gin Ganga near Nugagala Mawatha in the Hiniduma Police Division.
The deceased, a mother, her daughter, and two friends of the daughter, had gone to take a bath in the Gin Ganga when the tragedy struck around 2.30 p.m.
Minurika Shyamalee, a Grade 9 student of a reputed Girls’ School in Galle, sought permission from her father, who is a school principal, to invite several of her friends to her house for the long weekend. They were supposed to visit Kalvari Mountain for religious purposes, which is a popular local tourist attraction.
On the ill fated day, Minurika along with her family and friends visited Mount Kalvari and returned home around noon. Then her friends suggested that they take a bath in the Gin Ganga, which was a walking distance from her house.
Minurika again sought permission from her father to go to the river. Minurika’s father went to inspect the commonly used bathing spot and checked the water level and finally decided to allow the teenagers to go for a bath accompanied by Minurika’s mother. Minurika’s father advised them not to go to the deep end, but stay closer to the river bank.
The overjoyed teenagers were bathing in the river when one girl went after the soap container which was drifting away into the deep waters. The girl who went after the soap container then suddenly disappeared in the water. Minurika’s mother and two more students followed the victim into the deep water to rescue her, only to become victims themselves.
The victims include Liyanagamage Shyamalee Anoma,(39), Mapalagama Liyanage Minurika Shyaamalee,(14), Muthuhettigamage Ravindi Yasasmini,(14), and Madawala Withanage Kawisha Anjalee. The victims were residents of Hiniduma, Tangalle and Mapalagama. The bodies were kept at the Hiniduma hospital for the post mortem. Hiniduma Police is investigating.