SLAF PARTICIPATES IN ISLAND-WIDE TSUNAMI MOCK DRILL IN CONJUNCTION WITH WORLD TSUNAMI AWARENESS DAY
SLAF troops actively participated in the island-wide tsunami mock drill conducted yetserday (05 November 2025) in conjunction with World Tsunami Awareness Day. The exercise was organized by a regional body comprising 28 member countries of the Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre (ITEWC).
SLAF involvement included the deployment of a Bell 212 helicopter from SLAF Base Ratmalana to conduct reconnaissance missions over the Waskaduwa area and to perform casualty evacuation operations. During the drill, the helicopter airlifted two simulated casualties from the Thissa Central College grounds and transported them safely to SLAF Station Katukurunda.
In addition to the main exercise in the Kalutara District, SLAF troops also participated in tsunami response drills conducted in the other selected coastal districts of Batticaloa, Galle and Jaffna, extending their support to ensure the overall success of the nationwide exercise.
The island-wide drill was coordinated by the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) and carried out across five Grama Niladhari Divisions in the identified coastal areas. The DMC, Department of Meteorology, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, District and Divisional Secretariats, Tri-Forces, Police, National Disaster Relief Services Centre, local government institutions, schools, hotels and other stakeholders actively participated in the exercise.
SLAF involvement included the deployment of a Bell 212 helicopter from SLAF Base Ratmalana to conduct reconnaissance missions over the Waskaduwa area and to perform casualty evacuation operations. During the drill, the helicopter airlifted two simulated casualties from the Thissa Central College grounds and transported them safely to SLAF Station Katukurunda.
In addition to the main exercise in the Kalutara District, SLAF troops also participated in tsunami response drills conducted in the other selected coastal districts of Batticaloa, Galle and Jaffna, extending their support to ensure the overall success of the nationwide exercise.
The island-wide drill was coordinated by the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) and carried out across five Grama Niladhari Divisions in the identified coastal areas. The DMC, Department of Meteorology, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, District and Divisional Secretariats, Tri-Forces, Police, National Disaster Relief Services Centre, local government institutions, schools, hotels and other stakeholders actively participated in the exercise.
