Sri Lankan Man Found Alive After Week-Long Search Near Adam's Peak

COLOMBO (News 1st); In a remarkable turn of events, a 32-year-old Sri Lankan man who had been missing since April 17th, following a decision to leap over a safety fence near the path leading to Adam's Peak, has been located safe and alive.

The Sri Lanka Police revealed that the man, accompanied by a group of pilgrims, made the daring decision to jump over the fence along the stairs leading to the revered peak. This decision sparked a massive search operation initiated by the local Police, Police Special Task Force, and the Sri Lanka Army.

After days of relentless searching, the missing individual was spotted by locals in Nallatanniya on April 24th, prompting immediate action from the authorities. Police officers swiftly responded to the tip-off, recovering the man and swiftly admitting him to Dik Oya Hospital for necessary medical attention.

The motives behind the man's decision to jump over the safety fence remain unclear, as stated by the Sri Lanka Police.

The individual, identified as Dinesha Hemantha (32) from the Suriyawewa area of Hambantota, embarked on a pilgrimage to Adam's Peak, known locally as Sri Pada, accompanied by companions.

After paying homage and proceeding a short distance along the Sri Pada - Ratnapura road, Dinesha unexpectedly leapt over the safety fence of the Upper Terrace of Adam's Peak, an incident captured by surveillance footage.

Following a tip-off from estate workers, the Nallathanniya police located Dinesha near a canal bordering the Sripada Reserve, where he was found dehydrated and in need of urgent medical attention.

Despite his ordeal, Dinesha recounted having no memory of his time at the Upper Terrace of Adam's Peak, awakening near the canal and surviving for five days by navigating downstream, seeking refuge in rock caves and relying solely on water for sustenance.

Fortunately, he sustained only minor leg injuries and no serious harm.

After receiving initial treatment at Maskeliya Regional Hospital, Dinesha was transferred to Dik Oya Primary Hospital for further medical care.