Five Navy personnel missing after flood response mission in Chalai Lagoon

Five Sri Lanka Navy personnel, including an officer in-Charge of the Chalai Naval Sub-unit attached to SLNS Wettalekeni,  have been reported missing after they went into the Chalai Lagoon on Friday to cut off water flowing toward the naval sub-unit during worsening flood conditions.

According to reports, a search operation was immediately launched after contact with the team was lost.  

Following this, special team of the Northern Naval Command was deployed to intensify search operations yesterday. Despite extensive efforts, no information regarding the missing Navy personnel has been found so far.

Search and rescue operations are continuing.