19th December 2023 22:21:21 Hours
228 civilians of 109 families, affected by torrential rains and floods in Mullaittivu and its suburbs were evacuated to safer places by 8 Sri Lanka Artillery troops of the Security Force Headquarters - Mullaitivu in the past 48 hours ending Monday (18 Dec) afternoon.
They were moved out from inundated areas and accommodated at Primary School in Mannakandhal, and the Government School in Karuwalakandal after transporting them through Army vehicles.
Most of those displaced civilians are from Wasanthipuram and Keeranamadu villages which had been completely inundated.
Meanwhile, Army troops of the 22 Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment of the 552 Infantry Brigade of the 55 Infantry Division under the Security Force HQ - Jaffna swiftly jumped into action and repaired a split on the Pandiwettikulam tank bund on Sunday (17 Dec).
In addition, troops of 5 Mechanized Infantry Regiment of the 541 Infantry Brigade of the 54 Infantry Division under the Security Force HQ - Wanni on Monday (18 Dec) facilitated the transport of 40 school students at Thewampitti Roman Catholic School in Mannar for a seminar at Ellippukadikawai Tamil School as the roads were under water. Vehicles including tractors of the 541 Infantry Brigade and 641 Infantry Brigade were used for this purpose. 9 Officers and 30 Other Ranks actively participated in these rescue and relief operations.
In the meantime, troops of the 2 (V) Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment of the 213 Infantry Brigade with officials of the Agrarian Services Department quickly placed sandbags and prevented a split on the Andarakudawawa tank bund in Medawachchiya on 16 December 2023.
Similarly, troops of the 68 Infantry Division and the 593 Infantry Brigade under command to the Security Force Headquarters -Mullaittivu provided humanitarian assistance to flood-affected families in Puthukidiyiruppu area on 19 December 2023.
Troops engaged in evacuation, relief, relocation of the civilians displaced due to the heavy floods caused by heavy rainfalls in the area. Commander, Security Forces-Mullaittivu, General Officer Commanding, 68 Infantry Division, Brigade Commander of the 681 Infantry Brigade together with Officers inspected the area and provided much-required guidance and directions for the troops.
