Tragedy Strikes: Teen Electrocuted While Using Phone During Lightning Storm

 

Kegalle, Sri Lanka – A promising young life was cut short in a heartbreaking tragedy when a 16-year-old schoolboy was electrocuted while using his phone during a thunderstorm. The incident, which has sent shockwaves through the community, serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by adverse weather conditions and the use of electronic devices.

On the fateful afternoon of March 25, Ranbandi Dewayalage Darshana Pramodhya Kumara, a Grade 11 student at Panakawa Maha Vidyalaya, returned home after completing his GCE Ordinary Level examinations. Like many teenagers, he was engrossed in his mobile phone, chatting with friends while lying on a mattress in his room. However, as the sky darkened and the storm intensified, his father, Dhammika Kumara, warned him about the looming danger.

"Son, lightning is striking. Put the phone away," he urged. But the young boy, unaware of the peril, reassured his father, "No, Dad, nothing will happen." Those were his final words.

Mere moments later, a deafening crash of thunder echoed through the house. The father, struggling to regain his composure, rushed to his son's room only to find him convulsing on the floor. Panic-stricken, he lifted his son’s head, desperately attempting to revive him. But it was too late. The teenager had been electrocuted.

Despite being rushed to Kegalle Hospital, doctors confirmed the worst—Pramodhya had succumbed to the electric shock.

The student’s devastated mother, Nimalie Pushpakumari, shared her grief during the inquest, describing how her son had always been full of life and aspirations. “He had just finished his exams. He had dreams. We never thought this would happen.”

The inquest, conducted by Kegalle Coroner Renuka Subodhani Kaluarachchi Nishshanka, confirmed that the teenager had been electrocuted while using his phone, which was plugged in for charging. The tragic incident has raised concerns about the dangers of mobile phone usage during thunderstorms.

Authorities and experts are now urging the public, especially young students, to be cautious. Meteorological experts emphasize that using electrical devices during lightning storms significantly increases the risk of electrocution. Parents are advised to educate their children about safety measures, and schools are encouraged to incorporate awareness programs on the risks of lightning strikes.

The incident has left the local community in mourning. Friends, teachers, and neighbors gathered at the family home to pay their last respects, struggling to comprehend the untimely loss of a bright young student.

Pramodhya’s funeral is scheduled for March 28, where his family and loved ones will bid a final farewell.

As Sri Lanka faces unpredictable weather patterns, this heartbreaking loss stands as a grim reminder that safety precautions should never be ignored. In a world where technology is inseparable from daily life, awareness and caution could mean the difference between life and death.