29th November 2024 13:18:15 Hours
Deputy Defence Minister, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), along with Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage RWP RSP ndu, Commander of the Army, visited flood affected areas to evaluate the prevailing adverse weather condition in Ampara on 28 November 2024.
As part of the visit, a conference was convened at the District Secretariat in Ampara to review the flood relief measures. The meeting, co-chaired by Deputy Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Social Empowerment, Hon. Wasantha Piyathissa and Deputy Defence Minister, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), was attended by Members of Parliament, the Commander of the Army, Commander Security Forces (East), Commander Naval Command - East, General Officer Commanding of the 24 Infantry Division, Senior Deputy Inspector General of Ampara and other government officials.
The conference focused on critical operational directives, such as deploying Army personnel for evacuation operations, ensuring the security of properties belonging to displaced civilians, and providing necessary facilities for all flood-affected civilians. Government officials later praised the commitment and dedication demonstrated by Army personnel in managing the disaster situation.
Following the conference, the Deputy Defence Minister and the Army Chief visited centres established for internally displaced persons (IDPs) affected by the floods. During the visit, they assessed the conditions at the centres and engaged with local officials to ensure that adequate resources and assistance were being provided to those in need.
The Army Chief also attended the funeral of school students who lost their lives in a devastating accident in Karaitivu on 26 November 2024, when a tractor carrying students was swept away by floodwaters.
