Father and son from Sri Lanka drown in Queensland waterfall tragedy

A 21 year old Melbourne man who died at a popular waterfall in far north Queensland was trying to save his father from the treacherous waters when the pair drowned, devastated friends have revealed.  

Sisira Gajanayaka, 59, first got into trouble while swimming at Crystal Cascades, west of Cairns, on Tuesday afternoon. 

 The veteran bus driver who was migrated from Sri Lanka, was travelling with a group of 18 people from four different families when tragedy struck. 

 

His 21 year old son, Themi was trying to help save his father’s life when the pair drowned. The men were said to have been “struggling to get out of the water”, a police spokeswoman.

 

Bystanders called emergency services at about 5pm and a rescue operation was launched, but the men could not be found. Swift water rescue crews and two pump trucks were involved in the operation, before the men were found and pulled unresponsive from the water. 

 

Police said the pair were unable to be revived by paramedics and they were declared dead a “short time later”. Gajanayaka’s other son, Gomiya, was at the scene when the pair drowned and released a statement on Wednesday night, saying his dad “was the most selfless, amazing person” he has ever known. “He was always helping with community fundraisers and events and going out of his way to help those less fortunate. 

He loved his family and always wanted the best for us,” he said. Gomiya said his brother was “so beautiful and full of life” and said he was “a hero” for trying to save their father. “He lightened up everyone’s day and made us all laugh when we were down. I’m the luckiest person to have had him as a brother,” he said. “I’ll now look after my sister and mum for you just as I know you’ll look after dad for us.” 

 

More than 100 friends and family gathered to remember the pair on Wednesday, with loved ones telling Gajanayaka was a lovely friend who would do anything to help anyone. “I couldn’t breathe when I heard the news,” family friend said. 

 “Everybody has lost a very good friend, that’s all I can say. We’re not going to get him back again.” a friend said Themi would be remembered as “someone unique and unapologetically him”. “He would never fail to make us laugh or bring up our spirits in any moment,” he said. “We’ll miss him deeply.” 

The 21-year-old was said to be a talented musician and an avid Collingwood fan. “He tried to save his father, who was in an unfortunate situation while he was on holiday. He threw himself into a situation trying to save him,” friend added. “His heroic act in his final moment really epitomised him as a person.” The family and friends who were travelling with the pair have cut their holiday short and are flying back to Melbourne on Wednesday night. A report will be prepared for the coroner. The tragedy is not the first time visitors have ended up in trouble at the site. In 2020, a teenager needed to be rescued after slipping and falling from the waterfall. An 18-year-old man drowned there in 2014, having also reportedly slipped and fallen into the water.