They save lives, really!

Coast Guard lifeguards mark the 500th rescue, saving a Chinese couple in the seas off Mirissa:

Coast Guard lifeguards reached another important milestone in their lifesaving activities when Chinese nationals WU Hukai (30) and Mrs. T Kan (29) were rescued in the seas off Mirissa by duty lifeguards K. K. D. Saranga and A. K. D. N. Munasinghe, on October 3, 2015. The selfless act marked the 500th life rescued by the Coast Guard lifeguards since 2009.

The Coast Guard lifesaving activities started off a small lifesaving team deployed at the Mirissa beach in 2009. Since inception the team has saved the lives of 345 locals and 155 foreign nationals, with the Chinese couple being the most recent.

The Coast Guard comprises over 158 professionally competent lifeguards deployed at key beach areas for the protection of local as well as foreign tourists. Their presence signal safety and security to those having fun at the beach.

As most of these lifeguards are deployed in areas where tourists are most attracted, it has also assisted the tourism industry.

Currently professional life savers are positioned at Galle Face, Wellawatta, Dehiwala, Mt. Lavinia, Panadura, Aluthgama, Bentota, Beruwala, Hikkaduwa, Balapitiya, Mirissa, Polhena - Matara, Nilaweli, Peanut frame - Panama and Gopalapuram.

There are plans to expand the lifesaving activities to other beach areas around the country in the future.

Coast Guards also conduct number of lifesaving educational programs especially for school children and civilian community in the coastal belt. Sri Lanka Navy also added strength in providing human recourses to Sri Lanka Coast Guard on such 'life saving' activities.

In keeping with the motto 'We Save Lives', Coast Guard lifeguards will continue to keep a closer look at all those who step into our seas and ensure that they return safely to the shore.