Rough seas scuttle kayak bid around Sri Lanka

Strong winds and rough seas on Sunday scuttled a bid by two Australian kayakers to circumnavigate Sri Lanka, the Disaster Management Centre said.

The two men identified as David Rowlands and Ian Pexton got into trouble off Mullaittivu on the northeast coast and were helped by local military personnel, said centre director Sarath Kumara.
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The weather was very bad at the time," Kumara told AFP. "There was a severe weather warning in that area from the morning because of wind speeds of up to 100km an hour."

Military spokesman Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasooriya said the two Australians were given a lift to a nearby hotel along with their kayak.

The duo had set out from southern Sri Lanka last month hoping to cover 1,200km in their kayak in just over three weeks ending January 12, according to their website.

There was no immediate comment from them on Sunday.

 

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