Police warn rise in incidents of crocodile attacks and drowning

• 15-year-old boy dragged away by crocodile in Sampur 

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya 

Police urged the public to take precautionary measures to avoid attacks by crocodiles and the danger of getting drowned while bathing in rivers, lakes and tanks especially during the forthcoming festive season. 

Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said that a child was dragged away by a crocodile while two others were drowned on Saturday while they were bathing. 

Accordingly, a 15-year-old boy who was bathing in the Ittikulam tank in Sampur was dragged away by a crocodile. 
DIG Rohana said three boys went to the tank to bathe and one of them had gone missing following the incident. 
The Sampur Police, Navy and area residents are conducting a joint operation to find the child. 

Meanwhile, a 43-year-old father and his 13-year-old son who were bathing in the Mahaweli River in Hasalaka have gone missing. 

The body of the son was later found and further operations are underway to find the father.