More Than 500 Soldiers Rushed To Landslide-Affected Location For Rescue Operations

(Press Release)

A contingent of more than 500 soldiers of the Army serving 11 Division of the Security Force Headquarters - Central (SFHQ-C), have been currently conducting rescue operations of the landslide-affected Koslandawatta-Meeriyabedda estate areas of Haldummulla Divisional Secretariat since Wednesday (29) morning.

SFHQ-C, on being informed of the catastrophic situation by nearby Army detachments under the 11 Division and respective authorities, the first batch of 15 officers and 214 soldiers, were quickly dispatched to the location by 8.30 a.m., just 45 minutes after landslides struck, followed by another batch of about 300 soldiers, considering the vast patch of the affected area.

Together with soldiers, Sri Lanka Air Force troops, Policemen, health teams and civil relief teams are at the moment engaged in evacuating the buried, believed to be around 200 - 300 and providing relief, according to reports.

Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake, Commander of the Army, alert to the situation, immediately instructed Major General Mano Perera, Commander, SFHQ-C, Major General Wasantha Wickremasooriya, Chief Field Engineer as well as other respective Brigade Commanders to release Army machinery, bulldozers and backhoes to the affected location at the earliest, together with additional troops for relief work.

Major General Mano Perera who had rushed to the scene early this morning has been supervising all Army and Air Force rescue operations in coordination with Disaster Management Centre officials and all other relevant agencies, present at the site.

It is believed about 150 houses, lying in seven rows, have been completely destroyed in the landslides, although exact figures are yet to be confirmed. By 3.00 p.m. on Wednesday (29), four dead bodies of the victims have been so far recovered according to the reports.

Army troops with the help of other agencies have already moved sections of displaced people into two common halls in Koslanda area and the Army was busy preparing meals and other requirements of those affected people at the time this report was filed. (Ends)