Ministry of Defence - Sri Lanka

SL Army and Navy troops conduct Flood Relief and Rescue Operations

June 03, 2024

Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and Navy (SLN) have deployed several rescue and relief teams to assist people affected by floods and landslides.

According to Army sources, Army relief teams are kept on alert in Ayagama (Kiriella), Galuthuru Oya (Kiriella), Dehiowita (Thalduwa), Morawaka, Thawalama, Thihagoda, Neluwa, Baddegama and Divithurawa areas.

According to Navy sources, 33 Navy flood relief teams are deployed in Thawalama and Nagoda in Galle district, Malimbada, Akuressa, Panathugama and Kamburupitiya in Matara district, Palindanuwara, Bulathsinhala, Ingiriya and Welipenna in Kalutara district, Kaduwela, Meethotamulla, Kolonnawa and Puwakpitiya in the Colombo district and Kalawana in the Ratnapura district.

SLN relief teams are actively engaged in on-going operations, utilizing small boats to safely rescue flood-affected individuals and cater to their daily necessities. In addition, another 60 relief teams are kept on standby. As of today (Jun 03) Navy relief teams have rescued 36 individuals, Navy media stated.

Army has dispatched its Unicorn APCs and WMZ vehicles to the disaster-affected areas to assist in on-going rescue and relief efforts in several areas.

Meanwhile, Army troops have established cooking facilities to provide meals for displaced flood victims in Akuressa, Malimbada, Neluwa and Salawa areas. They have taken action to provide safe drinking water and ensure the restoration of power and communication services while conducting disaster relief operations in affected areas, Army says.