Wanni Troops Busy with Flood Emergencies

Island-wide Army troops, alert to the need for emergency flood relief operations with the continuation of heavy downpours and gusty winds are currently engaged in badly flood-affected Wanni, Mannar, Kilinochchi, Mullaittivu and Jaffna areas in the past 48 hours ending Monday (18) afternoon.

Periyapandivirichchan East area came under heavy floods after Periyapandivirichchan tank sluice gates were opened as the water levels in the tank rose rapidly disrupting transport movements in the area. More than 73 civilians stranded in Madu Divisional Secretaries areas were rescued and taken to safe locations by 542 Infantry Brigade troops and 4 Gajaba Regiment troops on Saturday (16 Dec).

Meanwhile, 7 Sri Lanka Armoured Corps (SLAC) troops of the Security Force HQ - Wanni on Sunday (17 Dec) immediately attended to the repairs of the Manamperiyawa tank bund in Thirappane after a water leakage was reported. Troops placing sand bags and plastering managed to prevent its further erosion with the support of some civil volunteers.

The agrarian officials were of the view that the imminent split would have caused havoc and destruction to the villagers living in Pahala Ambathale areas if that was not prevented. The Commanding Officer, 7 SLAC Regiment participated in the repair work which took several hours.

In the meantime, 4 Gajaba Regiment (GR) troops rushed to Periyapandivirichchan (East) on Saturday (16 Dec) evening and quickly repaired a split on the tank bund of Periyapandivirichchan tank. A group of 17 Army troops including two officers completed the repairs within a short period in order to avert a major disaster.

Commander Security Forces - Wanni, Major General W.P.A.D.W Nanayakkara RSP VSV USP ndu, 54 Infantry Division, General Officer Commanding, Major General K.M.P.S.B Kulathunga RSP ndc psc and Commander, 542 Infantry Brigade, Colonel T.L.M Chandresekara RWP psc closely monitored the developments and instructed accordingly. Commanding Officers of 7 SLAC and 4 GR actively participated in the emergency operations.