(LANKAPUVATH | COLOMBO) – Eastern Province Governor Anuradha Yahampath yesterday (23) ordered Local Government Commissioner N. Manivannan to conduct an immediate inquiry into the unfortunate incident that occurred when a ferry transporting school children capsized in the Kurinchankerny Lagoon in Kinniya, Trincomalee.
The Governor also stressed the need to immediately conduct an investigation into the incident and inform her of the issues including who gave permission to operate the ferry and who carried out the maintenance.
A special committee headed by the Secretary to the Provincial Ministry of Highways IKG Muthubanda has been appointed to conduct this investigation. In addition, the Governor instructed the DIG in charge of the Trincomalee District to conduct a special police investigation.
Six people, including four children, were killed in the incident and about 26 others were taken to hospital. A special team of the Navy is still searching for the missing persons. The ferry was carrying as many as 35 people.
The Governor also expressed her deepest condolences to the relatives of the victims of this unfortunate incident.
She further said that a team of special officers was dispatched to the area at the time of the incident to investigate the incident.
The Governor also requested the people of the area to remain calm on this occasion.
