Two adults and four children have died following a ferry accident in the Kurinchankerny lagoon in Kinniya, Trincomalee at around 7.30 this morning.
Nearly 20 others who sustained injuries after the ferry that was transporting the group had capsized were admitted to the Kinniya Base Hospital.
Speaking to NewsRadio, Police Media Spokesman Senior Superintendent of Police Nihal Talduwa said the bodies of the victims are placed at the Kinniya Hospital.
SSP Nihal Talduwa said Police and Navy teams have been deployed to search for the missing.
The Sri Lanka Navy says it has deployed eight rescue teams to locate the missing persons following a ferry accident that occurred near Kurinchankerny bridge in Kinniya, Trincomalee this morning.
The Navy said it has commenced a dedicated rescue mission with teams representing the Rapid Action Boat Squadron (RABS) and the Special Boat Squadron along with Marines and Divers deployed to search for the missing.
The Navy said the ferry had been used by residents of the area due to the construction of the existing Kurinchankerny bridge.
Meanwhile, Members of Parliament also raised concerns pertaining to this morning’s ferry accident in Kinniya.
Parliamentarian Imran Maharoof said the accident was a result of haphazard constructions in the area.
MP Maharoof claimed that the ferry service was not regulated and innocent people including children had to pay for it with their lives.
Parliamentarian Rauf Hakeem also said the ferry which met with the accident had not obtained any permission to transport passengers.
He said necessary action must be taken against persons who are involved in the operation of the ferry.
