A fire and rescue drill was successfully conducted yesterday (12 December 2025) at the Commercial Bank Head Office in Colombo 01, with the participation of the SLAF Fire and Rescue Unit. The exercise was aimed at enhancing emergency preparedness, testing response procedures and strengthening coordination during high-rise fire incidents.

The drill was conducted under the guidance of Director General Air Operations, Air Vice Marshal Dammika Dias and was closely supervised by Chief Fire Officer of the SLAF, Group Captain Hemantha Baalasooriya, together with the Commanding Officer of the Fire School and Fire Tender Maintenance Squadron (FS&FTMS), Group Captain Chamil Hettiarachchi.

A total of 17 highly skilled SLAF firefighters participated in the exercise. Squadron Leader Malindu Hewawasam, who served as the Exercise Commander, led the drill. 

Hypothetical scenario was recently simulated involving a fire outbreak on the 03rd floor of the Commercial Bank Head Office building, caused by an electrical surge. During this drill, SLAF firefighters demonstrated their operational competencies through the effective use of breathing apparatus, Turn Table Ladder (TTL) rescue operations.