Cash-strapped Forest Department and Disaster Management Centre (DMC) authorities are struggling to douse forest fires ravaging the Badulla, Puttalam, Vavuniya, Hambantota districts and many areas.
Air force assistance was sought to douse a fire spreading rapidly in the Badulla District’s Ella area. A Bell 212 helicopter was deployed with seven Bambi bucket operations taking place to contain the fire that was engulfing the tourist hotspot.
Badulla District Disaster Management Centre Assistant Director E M L Udayakumara said villagers are setting fire to the savannas, hunters are taking advantage of the dry weather, and campers and holiday makers ignore the winds when setting campfires and lighting cigarettes.
“We have instructed estate managers to have a fire belt in the boundaries of their plantation lands. Announcements are also to be made in places of worship within estates on the consequences of kindling fire in forest lands,” he said.
Read more on this story from the Sunday Times.
