COLOMBO (News 1st) - The bodies of four people who went missing after being swept away while bathing at the Epamulla beach in Pamunugama were recovered following an overnight search operation involving the Sri Lanka Navy and Police.The victims were identified as a mother, her young daughter and two related children.The group is believed to have encountered difficulties and drowned at around 5.00 p.m. on Sunday (30) while bathing in the sea off the Pamunugama-Epamulla coastline.Search and rescue operations were launched immediately after the group was reported missing and continued throughout the night with the assistance of Navy and Police personnel.The bodies of the mother, her daughter and a female relative were recovered at around 9.00 a.m..The body of the fourth victim was found a short time later.Police said the deceased mother was 35 years old, while her daughter was just four years old.The related girl who died in the incident was 11 years old, while the other child was 13 years old.Warning signs indicating that the area is unsafe for bathing were visible at the location.Local residents and fishermen said the sea has been particularly rough in recent months and that repeated warnings are often issued to visitors not to enter the water.The bodies have been placed at the Negombo Hospital for post-mortem examinations.
