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    SL Coast Guard reach milestone in lifesaving operations

    October 09, 2015

    Sri Lanka Coast Guard (SLCG) reached a milestone in lifesaving by crossing the 500th life saved by its lifeguards, recently. The SLCG lifesaving which began in 2009 with a small lifesaving unit deployed at the popular Southern beach in Mirissa has now grown to include fifteen purpose built lifesaving stations around the country.

    So far the SLCG lifesavers have saved 345 locals and 155 foreign nationals from .With over 145 professionally qualified lifesavers the SLCG has come under immense praise by both locals as well as foreigners for their untiring effort in keeping the beaches safe. The commitment of the SLCG in saving lives resonates from the lifeguard up the hierarchy to the high officials as they are also known to have personally responded to emergencies and save lives.

     

    In 2009 SLCG lifeguards began their journey of saving lives by rescuing two young Chinese nationals, WU Hukai (30) and T Kan (29) from drowning at the Mirissa beach. The 500th life was saved during the weekend on Saturday (03rd October).

     

    Sri Lanka is visited by hundreds and thousands of tourists every year and its golden beaches are the main attraction and keeping the beaches safe is imperative. Lifesaving stations are located at popular coastal tourist locations such as Galle Face (Colombo), Wellawatta, Dehiwala, Mt. Lavinia, Panadura, Aluthgama, Bentota, Beruwala, Hikkaduwa, Balapitiya, Mirissa, Polhena - Matara, Nilaweli, Peanut frame - Panama and at Gopalapuram in the Eastern coast.

     

    With a number of new lifesaving posts on the drawing board the SLCG hopes to expand its lifesaving operations to cover the whole island. Lifesaving stations of the SLCG are unique as they are specially designed and constructed in such a way that lifeguards can have a clear and unobstructed view of the coast and also easy to identify by the beachgoers in case of an emergency or require assistance.

     

    The SLCG also conducts regular awareness programmes for the fishing community, state sector institutions and school children.

    Last modified on Friday, 09 October 2015 10:57

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