Deyata Kirula exhibition - police warn bathers

by Kurulu Kariyakarawana

The police yesterday cautioned thousands of visitors who are due to arrive at the Deyata Kirula exhibition in Ampara to be careful while bathing in the surrounding tanks and rivers due to the high risk of drowning. There are a number of small and large scale tanks in and around Ampara where people take a dip due to the prevailing hot weather.

Police Media spokesman SSP G M H B Siriwardena told the Sunday Observer yesterday that major tanks and reservoirs including the Ampara Tank are almost at spill level and pose a grave risk to unsuspecting bathers if they don’t bathe in the secure locations.

Police have identified safe bathing spots for the public with special lifeguards and divers. The public have been advised not to bathe in other locations except those identified by the police with designated lifeguards. The police have also warned the visitors to avoid alcohol as it could cause many accidents during the exhibition period.

A posse of 5,000 policemen and 1,000 officers in civvies will be deployed for the exhibition with the assistance of the Security Forces and the police Special Task Force.

The police have also introduced a traffic scheme in Ampara from the four main entry roads of Uhana, Kalmune, Damana – Akkaraipattu and Inginiyagala.

Spacious car parks have been set up at each entry point and a special shuttle service would be provided to the exhibition centre.