Flood-affected Families in Negombo Get Army-cooked Meal Packets

Troops of the 2 (V) Sri Lanka Army Service Corps of the 141 Infantry Brigade in the aftermath of Friday's (5) emergency flood evacuation operations in Katuwapitiya and Sellakanda Grama Niladhari divisions in Negombo took immediate steps to provide about 400 cooked meal packets among hundreds of flood-affected families.

After torrential rains hit those areas by Friday (5) noon, troops swiftly responded and evacuated adults, patients and the worst-affected to safe locations within hours while flood water level in those inundated areas was fast swelling, compelling many of them to abandon their homes or move into higher elevations inside their homes for safety.

Troops concerned about their unexpected predicament took steps to get them 50 lunch packets by noon. However, as water levels continued to rise, troops prepared 350 more dinner packets for the evening and delivered them to their doorsteps, irrespective of the threats posed to them by swelling flood waters.

Earlier on the day, 03 Officers and 23 Other Ranks evacuated more than 20 victims, stranded due to swelling flood water levels and removed them to safe locations. Ten more affected were facilitated in the Negombo Grand Mosque.

Major General D.M.K.D.B Pussella RWP RSP, Commander Security Forces - West together with Major General J.N.R.N.K Jayamanna RWP, General Officer Commanding, 14 Infantry Division and Brigadier L.G.B Kariyawasam RWP RSP USP, Commander, 141 Infantry Brigade provided necessary guidelines to emergency rescue and relief operations.

In addition, Lieutenant Colonel R.A Udaratage, Commanding Officer, 2 (V) SLASC supervised the troops, engaged in emergency evacuation and relief work.