Update: Island-wide Emergency Relief & Rescue Operations are Continuing

In the wake of worsening weather conditions and torrential rains, hundreds of Army troops on the directions of the Commander of the Army and the Ministry of Defence have rushed to island-wide affected areas to provide relief and engage in rescue operations.

Meanwhile, 582 Brigade troops carrying out rescue and relief operations in Wagawaththa area in Horana assisted a group of monks to go for an Alms Giving by providing a WMZ tank, since floods have inundated the roads in the area.

Following heavy storms that swept across Kurunegala District during past 48 hours, 143 Brigade troops of the 14 Division under the Security Force Headquarters - West (SFHQ-West), hurried to Nikaweratiya, Rasnayakapura and Polgahawela areas and began rescue operations with the support of local authorities and members of the public.

In the meantime, Army troops attending rescue operations at Rasnayake Divisional Secretariat area, where several line houses are damaged, facilitated them for relocation at community centre in the village and provided some refreshments, dry rations and sleeping bags for children.

Meanwhile, members of the Army have been sent to the general area of Udunowa tank in Nikaweratiya to be alert to the swelling water levels in the Deduru Oya. A total of 16 Army personnel of the 1 Sri Lanka National Guard were busy stacking sand bags along the vulnerable points that could spill water over the Tank banks.

Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake, Commander of the Army paying highest priority to the disaster situation in the country has instructed Chief of Staff and Director Operations and other relevant Senior Officers to monitor the developments and implement all necessary measures in close cooperation with state agencies and respective local authorities.

More than 500 members of the Army, together with the members of the other state agencies are currently engaged in flood relief emergencies in worst-affected Galle, Kalutara, Matara, Ratnapura, Kurunegala, Kandy, Baddulla, Nuwaraeliya, Kegalle, Colombo, Monaragala, Pollonnaruwa, Gampaha and Puttalam Districts as of Wednesday (23) evening.

Another contingent of about 5000 Army personnel, if needed are on standby in flood-hit areas in close contact with the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) and respective District and Divisional Secretariats to face any emergencies.

Meanwhile, a big tree that has fallen in the general area of Pahiyangala temple was removed by the 9 GW troops this morning (23) restoring transport movements. More than 15 Army personnel attended to the job with machineries.