08th August 2023 22:12:19 Hours
Troops of the 8 Gemunu Watch (8 GW) of the 611 Infantry Brigade under the 61 Infantry Division of the Security Force HQ - West (SFHQ-West) promptly acted to douse a fire occurred in the midnight on Sunday (6 August) at the Kanadola Garbage Dump in the general area of Mudduwa East, Ratnapura.
As soon as the troops were requested by the Municipal Commissioner of Ratnapura and the Assistant Director of the Disaster Management Center in Ratnapura, the Commander, SF-West and the General Officer Commanding, 61 Infantry Division, dispatched three Officers and fifty Other Ranks from the 8 GW, along with their Commanding Officer to the scene early morning on Monday (7 August) as it was spreading beyond control at that point of time.
Within a short period, troops together with the members of the Ratnapura Municipal Council and the Ratnapura Fire Brigade successfully extinguished the fire completely and prevented it from causing further spread and damage. The Commander, 611 Infantry Brigade also closely monitored the troops at work for the benefit of the public living in adjacent areas.
