09th May 2023 20:47:45 Hours
A contingent of Army troops of the 17 Sri Lanka National Guard of the 221 Infantry Brigade under command to the 22 Infantry Division of the Security Force HQ - East in a midnight jungle operation rescued four civilians who had got lost in the Maduwankulam and Poonei-Aru jungles in Kumburupiddi, Trincomalee on 9 May 2023.
Reports confirmed that a group of civilians including women had gone into those jungles to collect firewood and Palu fruits on Monday (8) afternoon but found four of the group, including three women had apparently lost their way on their way back home as dusk fell with rainy clouds.
On being informe, Police at Kumburupiddi requested assistance of the 221 Brigade HQ to trace their whereabouts. Accordingly, a contingent of 17 SLNG troops launched a search operation in late evening with the assistance of villagers.
After an overnight search operation, troops traced those three women and the man who had gone missing during small hours at first light and brought them back to their village safely early morning on Tuesday (9).
Troops afterwards handed them over to their family members who lavishly thanked the Army for their tireless service.
Major General S.B Amunugama RWP RSP ndu, General Officer Commanding, 22 Division and 221 Infantry Brigade Commander closely monitored the developments and gave necessary guidelines for the operation.
