Sri Lanka Army soldiers risk lives to rescue woman from Mahaweli river

Two Sri Lanka Army soldiers rescued a woman who was struggling in the Mahaweli River at Gannoruwa in Kandy on Thursday morning (August 6), risking their own lives to bring her safely ashore.

Army Corporals S/629506 Sandamal ADM and S/629417 Wijewardena DMTI were carrying out duties at the School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in Gannoruwa when they received information about the woman in distress in the river.

Acting on the instructions of the School Commandant, the two soldiers immediately rushed to the location and entered the rescue operation.

They were able to reach the woman and bring her safely to the riverbank.

The Army said the rescue demonstrated the courage, alertness and commitment of its personnel in protecting civilian lives, including during emergencies outside their usual defence duties.

Meanwhile, adverse weather continues to affect Sri Lanka’s hill country, with rising water levels in several major rivers causing flooding in surrounding low-lying areas.

Tri-Forces rescue and relief teams are continuing to assist affected communities, while additional personnel, equipment and other resources remain on standby to respond to any further emergencies.