Short-finned pilot whales began beaching at Panadura, South of Colombo. Within an hour their numbers increased to more than 100. Police rushed to the spot with local residents and push them back into the ocean. "But they keep getting washed ashore. We are getting help from the navy to rescue these whales." Said the police. Sri Lanka's Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) has also set their team to help with the rescue operation.

              It is the largest single pod of whales stranded in the South Asian country ever. It is very unusual for such a large number to reach the shores. This is similar to the mass stranding of 470 whales in Tasmania in September. About 110 of the creatures were saved in a days-long rescue effort. Pilot whales - which can grow up to six meters (20 feet) long and weigh a tonne are highly social. The causes of mass strandings remain unknown despite scientists studying the phenomenon for decades