“Aviva NDB’s Poson safety programme saved my son’s life”

Mother of Oshane Dulaj, the nine-year-old boy, one of the 12 lives saved from drowning during last Poson in Anuradhapura, recounts the terrifying experience of almost losing her son in the murky waters of the Abeya Wewa

A leading insurance company, Aviva NDB’s intensive safety programme saved 12 lives from drowning related accidents during Poson last year. As a corporate responsibility endeavour, this Poson too, for the 18th consecutive year, the company will facilitate the presence of over 600 lifesavers on 14, 15 and 16 June in Anuradhapura.

AVIVA NDB facilitates the presence of lifesavers with the help of the Lifesaving Association of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Police and the Navy.

The mother of Oshane Dulaj, the child who was among the 12 lives saved last year, was very appreciative of the lifesavers.

Oshane Dulaj was born on 17 April in 2001 and is a Year 5 student at Welapura Vidyalaya in Kalutara. Oshane’s father Saman Premalal is a Technician at the State Development and Construction Corporation while his mother runs a fashion boutique from home. Oshane has a five-year-old sister, Akesha Chanali. Oshane’s mother Lumbini Dantanarayane spoke about the terrifying incident.

Q: Can you describe what happened?

A: This was the first time we had gone to Anuradhapura during Poson. My husband could not come so I joined our neighbours with my little daughter and son.

That day all who came on the pilgrimage wanted to bathe in the Abeya Wewa tank. I carried my daughter in one hand and held my son’s hand with my other hand. The water was muddy. We did not go far. My son slipped from my hand. I groped about desperately but couldn’t find him. All this did not take even five minutes.

Anyway when I turned round, the lifesavers had taken my son to safety and had even given him first aid. I couldn’t believe it. They had been watching us get into the water and as soon as my son went under water they brought him to safety. I have no words to describe my relief.

Q: Can you state your feelings as a mother?

A: Never in my life have I been so frightened. It is an incident I will never forget. I cannot describe my relief that my son’s life was saved. There were a lot of people around us so I was surprised that they spotted us.

I should not have got into the water alone with both the children. I should have first bathed one child and then attended to the other one. I was so thankful that Aviva NDB had arranged lifesavers to be present. It’s a great service. The lifesavers were very professional. They quickly averted the danger and I am very grateful.

Q: What is your advice to Poson pilgrims who go to Anuradhapura with young children?

A: We must be conscious of the safety of young children. You have to be very careful when you are in surroundings that are strange and new to you. The entire area in an around Anuradhapura has a lot tanks and reservoirs. There are warning boards all over about the danger of bathing in unknown waters. There are warning boards indicating whether the spot is suitable for bathing or not. Lifeguards also warn people. It is up to the parents to follow their advice.

We saw banners on our way. But as this was my first time, my mind was in a whirl and I couldn’t heed the warning boards. My brother in Matara remembers the time before the company commenced the Poson safety programme, when many people drowned when they came on pilgrimage and bathed in the reservoirs and tanks.

This is a great service to the people. Having gone through the experience I appreciate the value of having lifesavers and thank Aviva NDB and the lifesavers from the bottom of my heart.

Aviva NDB has been conducting safety activities for Poson pilgrims for 17 consecutive years and over 170 lives have been saved over the years from dangerous waters of tanks and reservoirs that dot the area. A million or more pilgrims throng Anuradhapura during Poson and visit Mihintale to commemorate the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.