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Sri Lanka Army

Defender of the Nation

8 SLSR Troops Evacuate Victims at Dombemada

8 Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment (SLSR) troops of the 611 Brigade under the 61 Division of the Security Force Headquarters - West (SFHQ-West) were among the firsts to reach Dombemada, Rambukkana early this morning (9) around 4.30 a.m. where 4 family members inside a house were found buried alive after an earth mound struck their house due to torrential rains.

After those troops, stationed in Kegalle were alerted, a group of 32 Army personnel including 2 officers rushed to the scene and began rescue operations forthwith, braving continuous downpour and muddy earth mounds that were being gushed due to flood waters.

Troops managed to evacuate all four family members despite inclement weather and managed to rush them to the nearest Rambukkana hospital using own Army vehicles.

However, latest reports confirmed that seriously injured mother, Mrs Surangika Lakmali (36), daughters, Kasuni Bhagya (8) and Madhushi were pronounced dead on admission to the hospital.

The critically injured father, Sudath Marasinghe (46) is under treatment at the hospital. At the time this report was filed, troops are busy cleaning the location and trying to recover their valuables for safe-keeping on the instructions of the Commander, Security Forces - West, Major General Sujeewa Senerath Yapa, General Officer Commanding, 61 Division, Major General Dammi Hewage, Commander, 611 Brigade, Brigadier Janaka Uduowita and the Commanding Officer, 8 SLSR, Lieutenant Colonel K Athukorala.