Responding to a request by the Disaster Management Centre, the SLAF deployed an Mi 17 Helicopter with a 2400 ltr Bambi Bucket from SLAF Katunayake to assist in the fighting of a sudden fire that had started in the Muthurajawela Reserve area.

On the instructions of the Commander of the Air Force, an MI-17 helicopter of the No 6 Squadron was utilized immediately to carry-out the Bambi Bucket Operation. The helicopter was captained by Squadron Leader Prasanna Gunaratne and co- piloted by Flight Lieutenant Indika Bandara.

The Helicopter carried out 8 Bambi operations before returning.