14th September 2022 17:40:22 Hours
Responding to the need for immediate action, troops of the 8 Battalion Gamunu Watch under the 611 Infantry Brigade of the Security Forces (West) rushed recently to Handagiriya, Balangoda area and doused the bush fire that was fast spreading fast in the afternoon on 13 September 2022.
As per the direction given by the Commander 611 Infantry Brigade as well as close supervision of the Commanding Officer 8 Battalion Gamunu watch a contingent of Army personnel, including one Officer and 25 Other Ranks, rushed to the scene and commenced work to bring the situation under control with the support of some volunteers in the area.
The fires were totally brought under control by Army personnel within 4 hours before more damage was caused to the rest of the forest. Further it has been observed that damage was approximately 14 acres of the land.
