SL records highest lightning related deaths

S M Wijayaratne-Kurunegala Daily News Corr

Sri Lanka records the highest number of lightning related deaths in the world. According to statistics of the Meteorological Department, 52 persons have died after being struck by lighting last year, said Kurunegala District Education Director W M Balasooriya at a meeting of school Heads at Bingiriya Youth Training Centre recently.

"A national centre for preventing disasters of thunder and lightning has to be set up. A proposal in this regard will be forwarded to the Cabinet in due course. Many people don't follow instructions and warnings issued by the Meteorological Department," Balasooriya said.

He instructed school Heads to educate the school community on natural disasters and the risks of thunder and lightning.