Saturday, 28 June 2014 00:00
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AIA Insurance ensured the presence of 600 trained lifeguards this year saving nine precious lives including two children. The Sri Lanka Police, the Navy and The Life Saving Association of Sri Lanka joined hands to keep an eye on the Poson pilgrims as they bathed in the reservoirs in and around the sacred cities in Anuradphapura, Polonnaruwa and Dambulla.
AIA Insurance has facilitated the presence of lifeguards for 21 consecutive years and the nationally relevant initiative has helped to save hundreds of lives over the two decades. Over a million pilgrims visit Anuradhapura during the Poson season.
The vigilant lifeguards saw a six-year old girl being swept off at Nuwara Wewa near the Pullyar Kovil and plunged into the swirling waters to save her. A 14-year-old boy was rescued at the nick of time at Basavakkulama. Several more lives were saved at Tissaweva and Nuwarawewa all adding up to the nine lives that were saved this season.
AIA Insurance launched the Poson safety initiative in 1993 when the incidence of pilgrims drowning was high and the Company realised the national importance of having in place a mechanism to rescue unwary pilgrims.
AIA’s very comprehensive Poson safety campaign includes, effective mass media communications apart from warning boards, leaflets, hoardings and public address announcements to create adequate safety awareness among Poson pilgrims to keep them cautious of the danger of bathing in reservoirs in Anuradhapura and surrounding areas.
Another important aspect of AIA’s Poson campaign is providing a shuttle train service between Anuradhapura and Mihintale for the convenience of devotees. This is the fifth year this facility has been provided by AIA Insurance.
Company Spokesman and Director, Partnerships, Amal Perera said, “AIA is proud to have been instrumental in saving hundreds of lives over the years through our extensive, nationally relevant Poson safety campaign with messages that encourage pilgrims to use reservoirs with caution. Our safety campaign during Poson helps to inculcate safety as a way of life in Sri Lanka.”
