Combined Army Teams Douse Spreading Bushfire

A combined team of 75 Army personnel of 9 Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment (9 SLSR) and 5 Gemunu Watch (5 GW) of the 121 Brigade in the 12 Division under the Security Force Headquarters - Central (SFHQ-Cen) throughout the night on Wednesday (28) fought against a spreading bushfire in the general area of Kuruminiyagalakanda in Anapallagama in the Wellawaya Divisional Secretariat and brought it under control by early this morning (1).

On being informed of the fire, Major General Rukmal Dias, Commander, Security Forces - Central (SF-Cen) instructed the 121 Brigade of the 12 Division to take all possible steps to contain it as early as possible since it had spread to so many acres.

More than 75 Army personnel, including Officers, attached to the 9 SLSR and 5 GW at ground level jointly contributed to wrest control of the fast spreading wildfire under the close supervision of Brigadier Nalin Koswatta, 121 Brigade Commander and Major General Nishantha Wanniarachchi, General Officer Commanding (GOC), 12 Division.

However, the troops were able to bring the situation under control by Thursday (1) afternoon. The fire has unfortunately affected more than 400 acres of forest cover although no damage has been caused to civil properties or public buildings.