September 22, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s armed forces have been placed on heightened readiness to assist civilians should an emergency or major disaster strike, Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Sampath Thuyacontha has said.
According to the Defence Secretary, military establishments in areas considered vulnerable or likely to require assistance have been instructed to maintain operational readiness. Personnel and resources can be mobilised at short notice to support rescue, relief and other emergency operations.
The Navy has separately confirmed that 171 disaster response teams are currently on standby as part of the preparedness arrangements.
Fourteen of those teams have already been deployed by the Southern and Western Naval Commands, with personnel positioned in several areas where assistance could be required.
The Navy said teams have been stationed and made ready in Hiniduma, Mapalagama, Nawalapitiya, Yatiyantota and Ratnapura, allowing them to respond quickly should conditions deteriorate.
The preparedness measures are intended to ensure that military resources can be brought into relief operations without delay, particularly in communities facing the threat of flooding, landslides or other disaster-related emergencies.