21-Year-Old Youth Missing After Being Swept Away by Sea at Marawila
A 21-year-old youth has gone missing after being swept away by strong waves while bathing in the sea at Marawila, while four others were also swept away at two separate locations along the Marawila coastline.
The incident occurred on the afternoon of September 12.
The missing youth has been identified as Withanage Shalitha Dhanurdhara Madhushan, a resident of Anukkane, Kuliyapitiya. He had reportedly qualified for university admission in the Mathematics stream.
The youth had travelled to Marawila on an outing with a group of seven people.
According to residents, the youth was standing on a sandbar near an area where rocks had been placed along the beach when he was caught by a large wave and swept into the sea.
Another youth who attempted to rescue him was also caught in the strong waves but was subsequently rescued by residents.
Residents launched a search for the missing youth, but he had disappeared into the sea by the time they reached the area.
Meanwhile, three women were also swept away by the sea at the same location on September 12. They were rescued after residents intervened.
Residents claim that 21 people have previously died after drowning at this particular location. They further said that 15 people had been swept away while bathing in the Marawila sea area during the past two months, with four of them losing their lives.
Residents also alleged that warning signs placed by the Marawila Police advising people to refrain from bathing and entering the sea had been damaged and removed by some visitors.
Following instructions from Marawila Headquarters Chief Inspector Sarath Kumara, Sri Navy divers arrived at the location on September 13 and launched a special search operation to locate the missing youth.
-Prasad Purnamal
