PROVISION OF MILITARY ASSISTANCE FOR THE SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATION

One of the ferry which transporting civilians and vehicles from Galapatha to Bolossagama through Kalu river has been toppled around 1830 hrs on 03 December 2021. Under the instructions of the General Officer Commanding of 61 Infantry Division and close supervision of the 612 Infantry Brigade troops of 12 Field Engineer Regiment reaches to the location for quick response.

Due to the accident 5 x civilians were felt to the water along with 3 x motorcycle and 1 x bicycle. Villagers and the troops of 12 Field Engineer Regiment rescued 4 x civilian. As per the information received from the evacuate civilians 1 x civilian was missing. 12 Field Engineer Regiment launched search and rescue operation with the co-ordination of the diver teams of Commando regiment and Sri Lanka Navy.

With the great effort of the search operation, search teams were able to recover drowned 2 x motorcycle and 1 x bicycle. Since 1 x civilian was missing, operation was carried out by the search teams in dark hours with great difficulties. Finally troops were able to discover the dead body around 0800 hrs on 05 December 2021 near the river bank of the Kalu river in general area Welikanda where 2 KM away from the accident location. The witness families and the villagers of the area had conveyed their sincere gratitude for the 12 Field Engineer Regiment including all the military forces who have been given support for the rescue operation.