Sri Lankan life saving report release to coincide with Boxing Day Tsunami anniversary

Life Saving Victoria (LSV), along with the recently formed Life Saving Association of Sri Lanka and the World Health Organisation (WHO), are set to release the inaugural Drowning Prevention and Water Safety Report for Sri Lanka on 26th December - the 10th anniversary of the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami.

With the Boxing Day Tsunami disaster having claimed over 230,000 lives in the region including 35,000 Sir Lankans (and 26 Australians), the report is expected to identify trends and provide evidence to help the Life Saving Association of Sri Lanka to develop water safety and prevention programs.

Like many Asian nations, drowning claims a significant number of lives in Sri Lanka - it is estimated that drowning accounts for over 1,200 lives lost each year in Sri Lanka.

With Australian life saving groups having engaged with Asian nations over a number of years, over the past three years lifesavers from LSV have been working with their Sri Lankan counterparts in the hope of halving drowning deaths by 2017.

At an organisational level, LSV has been working with Life Saving Association of Sri Lanka and the WHO in compiling the upcoming Drowning Prevention and Water Safety Report, which will analyse that drowning deaths that occur in Sri Lanka each year.

Commenting on the initiative, Victorian Minister for Police and Emergency Services Kim Wells recently stated “the model for this report has the potential to be used in other developing nations to inform their water safety and drowning prevention programs.

"It is absolutely fantastic that Life Saving Victoria is sharing its knowledge and training with the Life Saving Association of Sri Lanka and helping to raising awareness of water safety to combat drowning incidents.

“I congratulate all lifesavers on their commitment and dedication and the critical role they play protecting Victorians and providing vital lifesaving services.”

The Victorian Government has contributed $15,000 towards this year’s LSV Building Leaders scholarship program, where six Victorian lifesavers will travel to Sri Lanka to train locals in life saving techniques.

Image courtesy of Sri Lankan Coastguard Services.

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