• She had lost her balance and fallen down the waterfall

By Ranjith Rajapakse

The search for the girl who fell down Devon Falls and disappeared on July 18 was given up by the police and the army on Sunday (25) after an arduous task that lasted for seven days. 

The disappeared young woman Mani Pavitra (19) from Lindula in Talawakelle had been on a visit to the Devon Falls with several of her friends. It is alleged that she had lost her balance and fallen down the waterfall when she walked up to the top of the hill and attempted to wash her feet in the torrent.

Commando Search and Rescue Operation Team and the Vijayabahu Regiment had searched for the disappeared girl for three days on the instructions of Commander of the 58 Brigade Maj. Gen. Champika Ranawaka but to no avail.

They had taken the risk to descend the steep hill along the waterfall more than 290 feet in height and searched for disappeared in the river below.

Dimbula Police had searched for her with the help of the residents of the area for four days before they sought the help of the Army.

• Dimbula Police had searched for her with the help of the residents of the area for four days before they sought the help of the Army