Child drowns in Bopath Ella:

Coroner reprimands mother

N P Rajadurai - Ratnapura special correspondent

Ratnapura Coroner M L Wijeratne who reprimanded a woman whose child drowned in the Bopath Ella, said it is the responsibility of parents to take care of their children.

Ratnapura Coroner M L Wijeratne who conducted the inquiry into the death of Theekshana Nethmina, four and a half years, said this tragedy would not have occurred if the parents were careful.

The child’s mother S Leela Hemanthi of Keeranthidiya, Matugama testifying said that her husband is working in the Navy.

She said she has three children and the child who drowned was her youngest son. She said the Sanasa Samithiya in her village organised a trip to Ratnapura Rathganga Punchi Dambadiva on January 30. After visiting this place, around 12.00 noon they went to see Bopath Ella. After their noon meal they went for a bath. The elders did not join. She had a bath with her three children. After bathing she kept them on the bank of the stream and went into the jungle to change her clothes.

When she returned to the stream she found her younger son missing. She inquired from others and they said that they had seen her son going towards the upper region. She along with others searched for the child.

They later found the child’s body. The child was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Ratnapura General Hospital JMO Dr D P Dasanayake conducted the post mortem examinaiton. Kuruwita police led evidence.