We are a country that is blessed with breathtaking
inland waterways and surrounded by untamed
seas. The issue of drowning is a priority as we set
out to achieve both economic and tourism benefits
linked to our inland waterways and seas.
As a National Association listed under the Ministry
of Sports and the national representative for the
International Life Saving Federation and the Royal
Life Saving Society, the Life Saving Association of Sri
Lanka has received many accolades in the recent
past. We have become stronger and progressed with
the nation in improving drowning prevention activities
and lifesaving services in Sri Lanka.
Our strategy is to make drowning prevention
activities more widespread. We are working
closely with both government and nongovernment
organisations and at multiple socioeconomic
levels in the community to address the
issue of drowning. Our work ranges from providing
internationally recognised lifesaving training to
raising awareness of water safety issues within
rural communities. Our work goes unnoticed to an
extent but our commitment is unwavering.
The engagement and support that we continuously
receive from the Disaster Management Center, Sri
Lanka Police, Sri Lanka Coast Guard, Sri Lanka
Navy, Civil Defence Service, Sri Lanka Army, World
Health Organization, Life Saving Victoria and the
Australian Government through the Australian High
Commission is praiseworthy. It is essential that
these collaborative partnerships continue for Sri
Lanka to achieve success in drowning prevention.
This report should be referred to, not only by those
who are currently engaged in drowning prevention
activities, but also those who are willing to become
future stakeholders of this altruistic activity.
Involvement of the private sector is a must and would
benefit both drowning prevention and business.
The release of the Drowning Prevention Report for
Sri Lanka is the beginning of a series of activities
that form our strategic approach to drowning
prevention. I am grateful to the Life Saving
Association of Sri Lanka and Life Saving Victoria
team who worked assiduously to publish this report.
Saving lives is filled with unexpected adventures.
Join me in continuing to help save lives in Sri Lanka.
Yours in lifesaving,