Relief operations in full swing as Navy aids flood-hit provinces

In the face of harsh weather, the Sri Lanka Navy dispatched relief teams to assist communities affected by floods in the Western, Southern, and Sabaragamuwa provinces. These teams have rescued 165 individuals in districts such as Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Rathnapura, Galle, and Matara as of this morning (04th June 2024). Furthermore, the Navy has provided boat transportation for around 1,650 people to access essential services.

A total of 50 Navy teams are actively engaged in relief efforts across various affected regions. Specifically, there are 13 teams operating in the Kaduwela, Meethotamulla, Hanwella, Sapugaskanda and Biyagama areas of Colombo district; 10 teams in the Baduraliya, Bulathsinhala, Ingiriya, Galpatha and Welipenna areas of Kalutara district; 04 teams in Dompe, Gampaha and Veyangoda areas of Gampaha district; 2 teams in Kalawana and Kiriella areas of Rathnapura district; 6 teams in the Thawalama, Udugama, Dodangoda, and Nagoda areas of Galle district; and 15 teams in the Matara, Malimbada, Akuressa, Panathugama, Thihagoda and Kamburupitiya areas of Matara district. These teams are working diligently to support the affected communities.

On 03rd June, Commander Southern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Chinthaka Kumarasinghe conducted an inspection of Navy’s disaster relief operations in the Southern Province, following the directives of the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera. During a meeting with Matara District Secretary Mr. Ganesha Amarasinghe, discussions were held regarding the implementation of disaster relief operations in the Southern Province. The discussions also covered plans for ferrying fuel by Navy boats to generators at Nilwala National College of Education and other sites experiencing power outages.

Moreover, the Navy has prepared additional relief teams for rapid deployment in collaboration with the Disaster Management Centers.