181 university students lost in Hanthana, rescued

COLOMBO (News 1st) - 181 students of the Faculty Of Medicine in Ragama, who were reported missing during a hike in the Hanthana Mountain Range, have been rescued. 

The Hanthana Mountain Range lies in the central highlands of Sri Lanka, south-west of Kandy.

The height of the range is about 3,800 ft.

Four routes lead to this mountain range that is also the source of water to the Garadi Oya, Maha Oya, Golla Oya, Dodam Oya, and Kuda Oya.

1. Access to Sri Lanka Airwagon Corporation Broadcasting Station
2. Road via Udawalawe Hanthan Tea Estate
3. Road via Mahakanda University
4. Galaha-Deltota road via Peradeniya leading to Deltota

The students of the Faculty Of Medicine in Ragama began their journey near the University of Peradeniya.

Their guides were two students from the University of Peradeniya.

The journey began at about 11 am on Saturday(02).

But, the mountain range began to look misty at least by 5 pm owing to the rainy conditions in the area, ending up in the group taking the wrong route.

The students had to contact the Emergency Police hotline.

Police and Army then launched a rescue operation to locate the missing students.

The rescue operation that began at 11 pm continued until about 4 am.

Five of the students were directed to the Kandy National Hospital for treatment. Their conditions were not serious.

The Disaster Management Centre warned that people must be vigilant of the weather situation due to the prevailing rainy conditions.

The director of the DMC requested the people to avoid such journeys, if possible.