Navy establishes its first Disaster Response Unit in Welisara
 

Bringing yet another visionary concept of the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne to fruition, the Sri Lanka Navy Disaster Response Unit was established at SLNS Gemunu in Welisara, in view of promptly responding to natural disasters and rescuing the public affected. Accordingly, the Navy’s inaugural Disaster Response Unit was declared open by the Commander of the Navy today (June, 25) in Welisara.

The occasion was also attended by the Commander Western Naval Area, Rear Admiral Niraja Attygalle, senior officers and a large number of sailors.

The latest Disaster Response Unit of the Sri Lanka Navy is inclusive of mobile kitchens, cooking utensils, tents, water pumps, mobile toilets, high pressure water guns, fiberglass dinghies and outboard motors that need to be promptly utilized and deployed in a contingency.

Addressing on the occasion, the Commander of the Navy expressed his wish to set up two more Disaster Response Units in the North Central and Eastern Provinces as well.

It is expected to swiftly reach and respond to natural disasters in the Western and Southern Provinces, through this Disaster Response Unit.