SEARCH AND RESCUE TRAINING EXERCISE

Based on the analytical results of the search and rescue operation conducted following the road accident that occurred on 04 September 2025, along the Ella–Wellawaya road and with the objective of further developing the experiences gained to ensure more successful operations in the future the Badulla District Disaster Management Unit organized a Disaster Management Preparedness Drill on 16 October 2025 with the participation of the following institutions

a.112 Infantry Brigade

b. Ella Local Council

c. Sri Lanka Air Force Base, Diyatalawa

d. Special Task Force, Haputale / Uduwara

e. Ella Police Station

f. Badulla Fire and Rescue Unit

g. Bandarawela Fire and Rescue Unit

h. Teaching Hospital, Badulla

i. General Hospital, Diyatalawa

j. General Hospital, Bandarawela

k. Ceylon Electricity Board, Badulla

l. 1990 Ambulance Service, Badulla

m. Flying Ravana Mega Zip Line Team

n.. Road Development Authority, Badulla

o. Volunteer Organization – Electricity Supply

p. Hisitech Fire and Rescue Organization

Exercise Scenario and Objectives

During this exercise, it was assumed that a bus had toppled down a precipice approximately 500 feet deep at the 25th Kilometer Post on the Ella–Wellawaya road around 1030 hrs. All participating institutions coordinated to achieve the following key objectives

a. Strengthen coordination among stakeholders involved in such operations.

b. Provide an opportunity for institutions to assess their own response capacities

c. Gain experience in conducting search and rescue operations under adverse conditions

d. Gain practical experience in crowd management during disaster situations

e. Improve internal communication within the operational environment

f. Ensure accuracy and safety in lifting and shifting of casualties

g. Practice the use of electrical systems to eliminate darkness during nighttime operations

Operational Responsibilities and Participation

Accordingly, the 112 Infantry Brigade was assigned responsibility for the search and rescue operations, under the command and supervision of Brigadier B.A.D.N.K. Bulathsinhala RWP RSP USP psc Commander of the 112 Infantry Brigade. The following units participated in the operation with the respective commanding officer

SFHQ (C)

112 Inf Bde 03 × 20

23 VIR 02 × 10

1 Corps

3 CR 01 × 08

1 GW 02 × 10

5 GW 02 × 10

Conclusion

The exercise was supervised and guided by Hon. Attorney-at-Law J.M. Kapila Jayasekara, Governor of the Uva Province and Mr. P.S.P. Abeywardhana, District Secretary of Badulla. By around 1200 hrs, all search and rescue teams successfully completed their assigned operations. The Hon. Governor extended his gratitude to all participants for maintaining a highly successful disaster management mechanism on behalf of the people of the Badulla District