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Rising
death toll on the reef Last year, The Sunday Times highlighted the danger that is buried beneath the shallow sea water, when the sea monster killed 39 victims -- seven more than the previous year. But little or no preventive action was taken. This year so far, 44 holiday revellers have drowned in this spot. The latest victim was a 14-year-old schoolboy who drowned last week. On any given day, it is a common sight here, to see people taking a dip even when the sea seems rough and uninviting. Many believe that sea-bathing here is safe because the reef has formed a natural pool. But the danger lies in the mid area -- a gap between two rocks of the reef, where many have met their untimely fate. According to police, most of the victims had drowned here after taking a pre-bath drink. There are volunteer lifesavers, who warn the swimmers of the danger lurking in the reef. Lifesaver Suresh Kumar lamented that their advice is not heeded by some drunken revellers. "There are those who play here and when the ball goes to the deep, they go near the reef to fetch it and get into difficulty. There are others who show off their daring to young girls and fall into trouble," Suresh, leader of the lifesavers, said. The lifesavers do a thankless job. No body appreciates their work. There is no privacy of a room for female lifesavers to change their clothes. "We are here from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. We come in the morning and check the roughness of the sea and demarcate the safe and unsafe areas," Suresh said. Wattala Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Thiyagiratne de Alwis said he had initiated talks with the Coast Conservation Department officials to get the beach area vested in the Pradeshiya Sabha. He said he planned to develop the beach as a leisure park – like the Galle Face Green – with safety being given top priority. Mr. Alwis has also pledged to build stalls for vendors and a centre for lifesavers. "The Pradeshiya Sabha will certainly take action to make the sea safe. We are planning to provide lunch and tea to the lifesavers," he said. Wattala Inspector Sena Suraweera accused vendors of removing boards that warn of the danger because they fear loss of business if people stop coming to the beach. |
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