Sri Lanka Navy’s Rapid Response Rescue and Release Squadron (4Rs) has rescued five children from drowning in Manik Ganga.
The Navy has deployed 4Rs teams to provide life saving and relief assistance to the Kataragama and Tissamaharamaya Divisional Secretariat areas during the festival season. Tens of thousands of people are visiting the sacred area including devotees on Pada Yathra from the North and the East to coincide with the annual Esala Perahera of the historic Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya, which commenced on August 07 th .
Extending their expertise during the religious event of national significance, 4Rs personnel rescued 03 boys, one aged 14 and other two aged 16, on 15 th , a 15-year-old from Badulla on 16 th and a 6-year young boy from Gampaha on 18 th August 2013. All had been caught in the strong currents while bathing in the river during pilgrimage with their parents.
The Navy’s Rapid Response Rescue and Release Squadron (4Rs) provides life saving and relief assistance during natural disasters such as floods and rough sea conditions. The squadron consists of naval personnel specialized in disaster management and craft especially designed for its operations.
[mappress] Press Release, August 20, 2013; Image: Sri Lanka Navy