SECURITY FORCES (WEST) TROOPS ASSIST FOR DISASTER RELIEF ACTION

Flooding and landslides fuelled by the torrential rains over the last week have adversely affected over the Island. Simultaneously, Security Forces (West) troops alert to the developing adverse weather patterns across the western Province and alerted areas on the directions of the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General H L V M Liyanage RWP RSP ndu, and close supervision of the Commander Security Forces (West), Major General D M K D B Pussella RWP RSP, have already commenced their evacuation, rescue and relief operations in worst - hit areas in Security Forces (West) AOR.

Accordingly, a landslide has occurred on 14 October 2022 afternoon at Thewaththa road, Mayinoluwa, Ganithapura, Warakapola and a two-storied house has collapsed and residents of the house have been buried under the soil. As soon as this news was reported, initially, two Officers and 25 Other Ranks of 8 Battalion Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment under the 611 Infantry Brigade of Security Forces (West) rushed to the venue and launched a Search and Rescue operation in search for affected members of the Family.

At that time, troops has evacuated the owner of the house (55) who was critically injured and sent him to Warakapola General Hospital immediately. At the same time, troops continued their Search and Rescue mission in and around the location till the next morning, to find his missing wife (52) and elder son (23) and recovered their dead bodies under the mound of earth after a very strenuous operation in coordination with villagers in the morning hours on 15 October 2022. Troops of 1 Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment also assisted in this operation with the direction of the Commander of the Army and Commander Security Forces (West) under the close supervision of the Commander 611 Infantry Brigade.

Meanwhile, with the direction of the Commander 142 Infantry Brigade, troops of 14 Battalion the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment under the 142 Infantry Brigade assisted in clearing an uprooted tree that had fallen onto Dr C W W Kannangara road in front of the Nelum Pokuna (Lotus Pond) – Mahinda Rajapakse Theatre - Colombo due to heavy rainfall and strong wind on 14 October 2022. Army personnel contributed their assistance by deploying an evacuation team including an officer and ten Other Ranks in liaison with the officials of Municipal Council - Colombo in clearing the tree from the road.

Similarly, as the water level in Diyawanna Oya had raised rapidly, Army Personnel of 18 Sri Lanka National Guard, temporarily attached to the 144 Infantry Brigade of the 14 Infantry Division in coordination with Parliament Police stacked sand bags to prevent water seepage towards the entrance of Parliament as well as to the ground floors of the Parliament Complex upon the request of the Sergeant-at-arms of the Parliament.

Meanwhile, troops of 2 (V) Battalion Sri Lanka Light Infantry under 144 Infantry Brigade assisted in clearing an uprooted tree which has fallen onto the outer fence of the Kolonnawa Public Ground in the morning hours on 15 October 2022, due to bad weather conditions. With the direction of the Commander 144 Infantry Brigade, the contingent of Army personnel rushed to the venue and commenced the clearing works in collaboration with Disaster Management Centre and Municipal Council, Kolonnawa.

In addition, considering the request made by residents at Mabima(West), Mabima(East), Pattiwila, Yatawatta, Biyagama and Divisional secretary – Biyagama, Army personnel of 8 Battalion Sri Lanka Light Infantry under the 141 Infantry Brigade of the 14 Infantry Division during evening hours on 15 October 2022 managed to evacuate about 100 flood-affected families from inundated areas of Mabima West, Mabima East, Pattiwila, Yatawatta and Diyagama to safer places using Army boats. The 01 x 10 member rescue team of the Army managed to rescue them to the nearest temples and public places for temporary shelter.

All of these rescue and relief operations were done on the instructions of the Commander of the Army and with the supervision of the Commander, Security Forces (West) and General Officer Commandings of 14 and 61 Infantry Divisions, together with respective Brigade Commanders and Commanding Officers effectively carried out those disaster relief actions.