A 16-year-old student has drowned after being swept away by strong currents while on an educational trip to the Samanalawewa area, Police said.

According to Police, a group of students from Monaragala had travelled to visit Sabaragamuwa University and stopped at the Samanalawewa Dam while on their way to the Kuragala sacred site.

Three students from one of the buses had reportedly gone near a water outlet with the intention of bathing when one of them was caught in the current and swept away.

A search operation was subsequently launched by Police and local residents, and the student’s body was later recovered.

The deceased has been identified as a 16-year-old resident of Kiriyankumbura, Bibile.

His body has been placed at the Balangoda Hospital mortuary.

The Samanalawewa Police are conducting further investigations into the incident.