A youth, who was rescued after drowning in the Deduru Oya has succumbed while receiving treatment at the hospital, police stated.
Accordingly, the death toll from the tragic incident has risen to five.
Out of a group of ten people who came from Kiribathgoda to Chilaw for a recreational trip, five drowned while bathing in the Deduru Oya this evening (05).
Although area residents attempted to rescue the individuals as they were drowning, only one person was rescued.
He was quickly taken to Chilaw General Hospital, where he succumbed.
Meanwhile, the bodies of the remaining individuals were also recovered this evening.
The search and rescue operation for the missing persons was conducted by the Chilaw Police, officers of the Police Life-Saving Unit, the Sri Lanka Navy and area residents.
