10th July 2023 09:33:21 Hours
Army troops including those from the 12 Gemunu Watch and Sri Lanka Corps of Military Police near Kotaleeya bridge in Manampitiya were the first to rush and began rescuing the bus passengers fallen into the ‘Kotaliya Oya’ water passage last evening (9) around 7.30 p.m.
On being informed, troops from Special Forces Training School, 19 Sri Lanka Light Infantry and 1 Commando Regiment in nearby areas immediately arrived at the scene and commenced evacuation of the dead and the injured with the support of others who had gathered there by then.
The entire operation, conducted on the directions of the Commander of the Army and the Commander, Security Forces-East was closely supervised by the General Officer Commanding of the 23 Infantry Division, Brigadier K.V.N.P Premarathna RSP USP psc.
A private bus carrying passengers bound for Kalmune from Polonnaruwa, while passing Kotaleeya bridge near Manampitiya fell into the ‘Kotaliya Oya’ killing 10 passengers and injuring 41. Among the injured were an Army soldier of the 6 Gajaba Regiment and a civil employee of the Army.
