Troops Trace Whereabouts of Missing Undergraduates

An 11-member rescue team of the Security Force Headquarters - Central (SFHQ-Cen) succeeded in tracing whereabouts of a group of university undergraduates while on an expedition in Wangedigalakanda mountain, Bambarakanda in Haldummulla Police Division during small hours of Wednesday (28).

Reports confirmed that this team of undergrads on a camping tour while trekking the mountains were reportedly caught in heavy downpour and lost their way as dusk was fast falling amid inclement weather.

On being informed by the Haldummulla Police for rescue assistance, an 11-member rescue team of the SFHQ-Cen on the directions of Major General Rukmal Dias, Commander, Security Forces - Central (SF-Cen) rushed to the dense jungle-infested hilly areas although torrential rains, cold weather and thick darkness obstructed their search operations from time to time.

However, during the wee hours on Wednesday (28) the Army rescue team of the SFHQ-Cen screened the exact location and reached affected undergrads who had lost their way in the hilly jungles.

The Army team commanded by one Officer of the SFHQ-Cen managed to bring them down safely after a search operation that lasted about five hours.

The rescue team after locating those went missing waited there until first light of the day and returned to the Haldummulla Police Station this morning (28).

The Army rescue team of the SFHQ-Cen formally handed over the undergraduates to the Haldummulla Police Station at about 10.30 a.m. on the instructions of the Commander, SF-Cen.