16th December 2025
The Sri Lanka Army engaged in extensive search and rescue operations following the recent adverse weather condition that affected many parts of the country. At present, troops are also involved in the nation building process, attending to numerous locations that sustained damage due to the severe weather. Their ongoing efforts are focused on restoring essential services, supporting affected communities and helping stabilize day-to-day life in the impacted areas.
The Sri Lanka Army Engineer Corps has deployed a wide range of machinery and vehicles to multiple disaster-affected regions across the country. Between 29 November and 3 December 2025, engineering troops provided critical support to clear landslides, repair damaged roads, and assist disaster-stricken communities in the affected areas.
Troops of the 20th Battalion of the Gajaba Regiment of the 221 Infantry Brigade provided assistance to the Road Development Authority in reconstructing the damaged section of the Trincomalee–Pulmoddai B424 road between the 49 km and 51 km posts, in coordination with the DS Office, Kuchchaveli, on 05 December 2025.
Troops of the 1 SLSR carried out work to remove the soil that had accumulated on the Yatthalgoda railway line on 04 December 2025 and restored the railway line for transportation.
Troops of Security Forces (East) provide assistance to reconstruct the damage part of the Trincomalee to Pulmoddai B 424 road.
Troops of Security Forces (West) renovated damaged roads at Yatiyanthota and Meenagala.
Renovated Southern part of the Kala Oya Railway Bridge.( From Kala Oya Railway Bridge towards Galgamuwa)
As per the request made by the civilians, troops from 17 ( V ) SLLI repaired the Periyapuliyankulam tank bund.
Troops from the 23 Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment of the 11 Infantry Division were deployed to Abagasdowa to assist the Water Purification Center and to Silmiyapura Water Board to support their operations on 06 December 2025.
A section of the Polgahawela–Ambepussa railway line was damaged by a landslide in the Yaththalgoda area, approximately 300 meters from the 58 km post, between Bujjomuwa and Yaththalgoda stations. With the tireless and continuous efforts of the 1 Sri Lanka Singha Regiment (1 SLSR), the railway track is being renovated steadfastly.
Meanwhile, another team of the 9 Sri Lanka National Guards (9 SLNG) undertook renovations of the Bujjomuwa culvert, over which the railway track runs, also damaged due to soil erosion. The site is located 270 meters from the 61 km post, between Alawwa and Bujjomuwa railway stations on 06 December 2025.
Troops of the 5 (V) Gajaba Regiment under 21 Infantry Division, together with the assistance of civilians, engaged in the renovation of the Kebithigollewa–Ellewewa tank bund, which had collapsed due to adverse weather conditions.
In addition, troops of the 7 (V) Sri Lanka Armoured Corps (SLAC) assisted in the construction of the Mahamankadawala tank at Palugaswewa on 06 December 2025.
Troops under Security Forces (East) have been conducting repair work on the Colombo–Batticaloa railway line in Manampitiya area, which was severely damaged due to adverse weather condition.
The restoration of the river bank of the Mahaweli River in Neelapola was initiated by the Irrigation Department, with the assistance of troops from the 22 Infantry Division. The restoration work is still in progress.
Troops under the Security Forces (Wanni) assisted in nation building activities, including repairing the breached railway line at Boo Oya, renovating the tank bund at Mahalindawewa, repairing railway tracks damaged by water overflow, renovating the damaged spillway of the Yodawewa bund in Kuruvil spillway area, and repairing the Kalkulam tank bund.
Army troops engaged in construction work at the ancient Elahera anicut site for the fifth consecutive day, providing essential workforce and technical support to expedite the progress of the project, together with the Irrigation Department and the Mahaweli Authority.
5 Sri Lanka National Guard of 21 Infantry Division engaged in renovating the Siyambalagaswawa tank bund, which had collapsed due to the overflowing water level on 09 December 2025.
The troops of 7 (V) SLAC, under Security Forces (Wanni), repaired the collapsed Maha Mankadawala tank bund in Palugaswewa, while the 7 SLSR completed 60% of railway track repairs in Nochchiyamoddai. Additionally, the 8 VIR is restoring the Vannakulam tank bund, damaged by rising water levels.
Troops of the 1 Gemunu Watch of the 11 Infantry Division assisted the Irrigation Department in repairing damaged canals in Kande Ela area. Troops of the 2 Sri Lanka Rifle Corps provided assistance in repairing the Pothawa Anicut in Welketiya Amuna Village.
Additionally, troops of the 23 Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment assisted the Irrigation Department in repairing damaged canals in Mathatilla. Further, personnel of the 4 Sri Lanka Light Infantry carried out repair work on the access road from Nawula Lenadora to Welikadayaaya and undertook cleaning and restoration of the Kawatayā Amuna canal route by placing sandbags.
On the request made by the Road Development Authority (RDA), troops of the 59 Infantry Division provided assistance to reconstruct the damaged Nayaru Bridge. Meanwhile, personnel of the 11 Sri Lanka Artillery continued for a second day with the dismantling and removal of the unsafe building at the Thalaimannar Hospital. Additionally, troops of the 14 (V) Gemunu Watch placed sandbags to protect the embankment of Muthiyankattu Tank on 10 December 2025.
Troops of the Sri Lanka Army assisted in essential infrastructure repair work across several locations on 10 December 2025. Troops of the 5 Sri Lanka National Guard of the 21 Infantry Division assisted in the renovation of the breached tank bund at Siyabalagaswewa. Troops of the 7 Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment repaired the damaged railway track between Thandikulam and Nochchimoddai. Further, as requested by the Irrigation Department, troops of the 10 (V) Gemunu Watch renovated the damaged spillway of the Yodawewa bund in Kuruvil using sandbags.
Troops of the 23 Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment repaired the damaged Uva Paranagama bridge on 10 December 2025.
Troops of Security Forces (Wanni) supported major reconstruction efforts, including filling damaged sections of the Buu Oya road with rubble by 2(V) VIR and repairing the Thandikulam–Nochchimoddai railway track, now 80% complete. Additionally, 17(V) SLLI troops, with residents, restored the damaged Sekkadipilawa and Perukankulam tank embankments.
Troops of 7 SLLI, 11 (V) GR, 6 SLSR and 9 SLE of the 55 Infantry Division cleaned the surroundings of Akkarayankulam Divisional Hospital and supported the restoration of the damaged A-35 bridge in Kandaweli on 11 December 2025, together with Indian Army representatives and RDA personnel.
Troops of 12 Sri Lanka National Guard under Security Forces (East) cleared the Kudumbimalei–Muruthana road affected by adverse weather, while troops of 20 Gajaba Regiment repaired the Trincomalee–Pulmudai B424 road and assisted with construction work at the Elahera Anicut, providing essential workforce and technical expertise.
Troops from the School of Signals assisted SLT Kandy in establishing fibre connectivity in the Kandy District on 12 December 2025.
Troops of 1 GW proceeded to Kande Ela to assist the Irrigation Department on 12 December 2025.
In addition, restoration work on the bridge at Kandaweili on the A-35 road, which was damaged due to the recent adverse weather, was carried out on 12 December 2025. For this task, troops of 6 SLSR, 9 SLE and ESR, together with personnel from the Road Development Authority (RDA), provided assistance to Indian Army representatives and engineers engaged in the construction of the new bridge.
Troops of the 5th Sri Lanka National Guard, under the Security Forces (Wanni), assisted in the renovation of the damaged tank bund of Mahalidawewa Tank. Meanwhile, troops of the 8 Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment engaged in the reconstruction of the Kalnaddi Kulam tank bund on 14 December 2025.
Troops of the 4th Sri Lanka National Guard assisted in the reconstruction of the Rajanganya Track 9 Road. Meanwhile, at the request of villagers, troops of the 12 (V) Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment repaired the Sinnakulam tank bund on 14 December 2025 in the Security Forces (Wanni) area.
Troops of 2 (V) Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment renovated the damaged concrete bridge connecting Welioya Junction to Mihinthalaya at Mahakanadarawa Galpaalama on 15 December 2025.
Troops of Security Forces (Central) provided assistance to the CEB in restoring the electricity supply in Raththota on 15 December 2025.
Troops of the 18 Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment, together with the Railway Department, reconstructed the railway track between Gallalla and Manampitiya on 15 December 2025.
Troops of the 8th Battalion Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment, under Security Forces (Wanni), restored the railway track between the 279 km post and the 280 km post at Murunkan on 16 December 2025.
The construction work of the Nayaru Bridge, located along the Mullaitivu–Kohombagas Handiya Road, which had been affected by the disaster, was successfully completed on 16 December 2025.
The troops of 1 SLRC, under Security Forces (Central), restored the electricity supply in Dikkumbura, Matale, on 16 December 2025.
In the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwa, the Corps of Sri Lanka Engineers rendered vital and timely assistance by clearing landslides to restore access, reopen major road networks and reconnect isolated communities, while restoring infrastructure and essential services across severely affected areas.
Key routes, including Gampola–Nuwara Eliya, Gampola–Nawalapitiya, Kandy–Mahiyangana, Passara–Badulla, Kandy–Galagedara and Anuradhapura–Vavuniya, were restored, ensuring civilian movement and the delivery of relief supplies. Access to the heavily damaged Hunnasgiriya–Meemure road was also reopened, enabling rebuilding work to commence.
Additionally, bridges at Nayaru on Mullaitivu–Kokilai Road and Castlereagh in Hatton were reconstructed. The Corps further supported public health and essential services by clearing debris in flood affected areas, reconstructing the Elahera Anicut, strengthening the Mahaveli River Bund, restoring railway tracks and repairing the main water supply line in Raththota.
Troops of the 14th Regiment Sri Lanka Artillery, under Security Forces (Wanni), reconstructed the tank bund of the Mahaoththapahuwa tank over a period of five days, with the active support of local civilians from the Mahaoththapahuwa area on 16 December 2025. In addition the troops of 9th Battalion, Gajaba Regiment, successfully breached the channel bund of Kiththa Wewa during the initial phase by reinforcing it with nearly 300 poly sacks and timber logs on 17 December 2025.
The Commander of the Army, as the head of the Special Disaster Operation Centre, directed Major General K.M.P.S.B. Kulatunga RSP ndc psc, the Commander, Security Forces (Wanni), together with Brigadier C.D. Wickramanayake WV RSP ndc, the Chief Field Engineer of the Sri Lanka Army, to undertake the renovation of two compact 200 bridges across the Nayaru - Kokolilai Road, which had been severely damaged and submerged following the Ditwah Cyclone at the request of the Road Development Authority (RDA).
The troops of the Sri Lanka Engineers, led by Brigadier H.K.P. Karunathilaka RSP, Commander, Engineer Brigade, in close coordination with the RDA with the assistance of troops from 591 Infantry Brigade under 59 Infantry Division, immediately commenced the restoration operations. The troops worked tirelessly around the clock under challenging conditions to restore the damaged infrastructure.
As a result of the continuous and dedicated efforts of troops from 02 to 16 December 2025, the first damaged bridge, which was 50 feet, was successfully reinstalled and relaunched as a 120-foot-long bridge on 16 December 2025. Under the guidance of the Commander, Security Forces (Wanni), Major General M.W.S. Millagala RWP RSP USP Hdmc psc, the General Officer Commanding of 59 Infantry Division, and Colonel M.S.I. Aluwihare RWP RSP, Commander of 591 Infantry Brigade, closely monitored the progress, showcasing their unwavering commitment and dedicated supervision to restore the normalcy.
The troops of 14 (V) Battalion of the Gemunu Watch, under Security Forces (Wanni), stabilise the damaged spillway of the Muthiyankattu Kulam tank on 11 December 2025 by constructing a protective bund using sandbags to reinforce the weakened section and prevent further erosion.
Troops from 8th Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment (8 VIR) assisted in reconstructing the railway track between the 279 km and 280 km posts, while a separate team from 8 VIR carried out reconstruction work on the Nelukulama Tank Bund at Weppamkulam.
The reconstruction of the Kandaweili Bridge along the A-35 road, which was damaged by adverse weather, was carried out by troops of the 9th Regiment of Sri Lanka Engineers, together with a team of 120 Indian Army personnel, on 18 December 2025. Troops under the 55 Infantry Division, including the 6th Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment, the Corps of Engineer Services, the Sri Lanka Army Medical Corps and the Road Development Authority, assisted in completing the work.
Troops of 2 (Volunteer) Battalion, the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment (VIR), under the 21 Infantry Division, have been engaged in rubble-filling work along the railway track from 251 km to the 250 km posts between Cheddikulam and Muhandankulam in Cheddikulam area, in support of ongoing railway restoration efforts.Meanwhile, troops of 8 Battalion, the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment, under 54 Infantry Division, were deployed on 23 December 2025 to assist in the reconstruction of the railway track from 279 km post to the 280 km post. These efforts aim to restore normal railway operations and ensure the safety and reliability of rail transport in the affected areas. In addition, upon a request made by the Road Development Authority (RDA), troops under 59 Infantry Division are providing assistance in the reconstruction of the damaged Nayaru Bridge. Renovation work on the bridge is currently in progress.
