ARMY TROOPS serving Pannai area in Kayts, Jaffna were prompt in rescuing five passengers aboard an ill-fated three-wheeler when it ran into a 20 ft precipice and turned turtle in the seas while it was negotiating a big pothole on the road.
Two Army soldiers of 11 Sinha Regiment (V) manning the nearby roadblock at Pannai witnessed the gravity of the three-wheeler accident ahead of them, and rushed to the beach area where the vehicle remained struck having turned upside down. Those soldiers immediately removed all the five inmates with much difficulty, including two small children, trapped inside. Some of them were almost about to be drowned in the sea when the troops finally rescued them.
The two little children, R. Velansiya (girl) and R. Roshan (boy) and the rest of the passengers, M. Dinesh Kumara, N. Sujeena and S. Sisiliya of the same family however escaped serious injuries with the support of the soldiers, but with bruises and swellings.
Meanwhile, both soldiers in the melee lost their mobile phones during the encounter against gushing sea waters, and they believe both phones would have been washed away in the rush as they were struggling to rescue the victims, almost drowning.
Those victims from Gurunagar area were wheeling towards Kayts to attend a Pooja at Vaatti Hindu temple on Sunday (27) when they met with this unexpected motor accident. Their vehicle was also later dragged out by the troops from the sea and later handed it over to them for repairs before it was taken away by swelling sea waves.
Lance Corporal J.P.C. Gunawardane and Rifleman W.P.S.H . Bandara of 11 Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment (V) who were behind this act of bravery came in for commendation and appreciation of their senior commanders and the general public who were thronging the scene at that critical hour.
The two heroic soldiers expressed their extreme satisfaction over their ability to save the lives of those innocent civilians, especially the two small children.
This act of bravery is one more example that shows the high degree of preparedness, dedication and commitment of the soldiers at all times.
Security Forces Headquarters-Jaffna also informs the general motorists to be more careful when moving along Pannai-Mandathivu road which remains in a partly dilapidated condition after the most recent floods and hurricane.
The road was renovated by Army Engineers to turn it motorable, but still needs completion by the Road Development Authority.
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