Swimming Champion Oshadhi Dies Suddenly While Helping Flood Victims

 Miss Oshadhi Vyayama, a talented swimming champion residing in Sedawatta, Kotuwila area, known as the "Mermaid of the Kelani River," has passed away due to a sudden accident at home. The 19-year-old faced this unfortunate incident on the 10th, and although she was immediately admitted to the Colombo National Hospital, doctors confirmed that she had already died upon arrival.

Having received her primary education at Visakha Vidyalaya, Colombo, she was also a young woman who took the lead in community service activities in the area. Especially during the recent severe flood disaster, residents gratefully recall her immense dedication, working day and night to rescue displaced neighbors by boat and

distribute essential food and beverages to them.

Oshadhi, who began practicing swimming at the Sugathadasa Stadium pool at the age of three, initially hesitated to enter the Kelani River due to fear of crocodiles. However, at the age of seven, she successfully crossed the Kelani River, setting a Guinness World Record. On that day, thousands of villagers and others gathered on both banks of the river to witness her feat as she jumped into the river from the Pattiyahandiya area and swam a distance of 1000 meters in 14 minutes and 41 seconds, emerging near the Black Bridge.

This record-breaking swimming feat, which took place under the full patronage of then-President Mahinda Rajapaksa and special security from the Navy, earned her recognition from the head of state. Wellampitiya Police are conducting further investigations into whether she took her own life, as she had been suffering from an illness recently. Her autopsy was conducted at the Colombo National Hospital, and a family spokesperson stated that steps were taken to hand over parts of the deceased young woman's body to the Colombo Medical College.