A total of 26 people have died in drowning incidents during the seven-day Sinhala and Tamil New Year holiday period so far, Police said.

Among the latest victims reported yesterday (18) were a private tuition teacher, an Advanced Level student, and a six-year-old girl.

Police said the teacher and student had gone bathing at the Nallachchiya Reservoir in Thambuttegama at around 3.30 p.m. They were reportedly bathing in an irrigation canal when they were suddenly caught in a strong current and swept nearly 300 metres downstream.

A nearby group who had also been bathing in the area rushed to rescue the two young men and brought them ashore.

Although they were admitted to the Thambuttegama Base Hospital, both had died by the time they were hospitalised.

One of the deceased was identified as 29-year-old Danushka Udayanga, a private tuition teacher from Ikirivewa, Thambuttegama.

The other victim was an Advanced Level student of a leading school in Anuradhapura.

Meanwhile, a six-year-old girl died after falling into a swimming pool at a hotel in Dampe, Piliyandala.

Police said several families and relatives had gathered at the hotel for a New Year celebration. During the afternoon, while members of the group were using the pool, a dark object was noticed in the section used by adults.

Those present later realised it was the child submerged underwater and immediately pulled her out.

She was rushed to the Piliyandala District Hospital but was pronounced dead on admission.

The child was identified as Ihansa Perera, a resident of Mihindupura, Pelanwatta.

Police said her mother is employed overseas and that she had been raised under the care of her paternal aunt.

Kesbewa Inquirer into Sudden Deaths Ajith Wijesinghe visited the hotel last night and conducted an on-site inquiry.

In a separate incident, officers attached to the Anuradhapura Police Lifesaving Unit yesterday rescued a 27-year-old man from Bandarawela who was drowning while bathing in an unsafe area of the Tissa Wewa.

Meanwhile, the body of a young man who was swept out to sea while bathing at Bentota beach this afternoon was recovered by lifesaving personnel.

He was identified as a third-year student of University of Moratuwa.