A group of persons who had been trapped following flooding in Anuradhapura and in Polonnaruwa have been rescued by the Sri Lanka Air Force. 

One person who had been trapped on a coconut tree since yesterday (27), following flooding caused by the overflow of the Kalawewa in Anuradhapura, and six persons stranded this morning (28) on the Manampitiya bridge in Polonnaruwa, were safely rescued by a Bell‑212 helicopter.

According to the Air Force, the helicopter used belongs to the No. 7 Helicopter Squadron of the Sri Lanka Air Force base at Hingurakgoda.

The rescued persons have been transferred to safe locations. (Newswire)

Man trapped on a coconut tree since yesterday due to rising floodwaters from the Kala Wewa in Anuradhapura was safely rescued this morning by the Sri Lanka Air Force using a Bell-212 helicopter pic.twitter.com/guA6lNXENR

— NewsWire (@NewsWireLK) November 28, 2025

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Three people who had been trapped on the upper floor of a two‑storey house in Mahawa Ella this afternoon, following flooding caused by the overflow of the Deduru Oya, have been safely rescued.

The individuals were rescued by a Bell‑212 helicopter belonging to the Sri Lanka Air Force and transferred to a secure location.

This operation was carried out by the rescue team attached to the Ratmalana base of the Sri Lanka Air Force. (Newswire)

Sri Lanka Air Force Bell 212 helicopter rescued three people trapped on the top of a two-storey building in Mahawa due to flooding pic.twitter.com/W5OyChpLDL

— NewsWire (@NewsWireLK) November 27, 2025

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A group of individuals, including foreign nationals, have been rescued after being trapped due to the fire that broke out at an apartment complex in Narahenpita today. 

It was reported that the blaze originated on the fifth floor of the building on Dabare Mawatha in Narahenpita. 

Several fire trucks were dispatched to douse the fire, during which individuals, including residents trapped inside the building, were rescued. 

According to reports, the fire has been brought under control. (Newswire)

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A cargo vessel experienced a technical fault and issued a distress call roughly 100 nautical miles south of Sri Lanka, prompting a rapid search and rescue operation by the Sri Lanka Navy.

The vessel, named MV INTEGRITY STAR, reported a technical failure while navigating the southern waters of Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Defence of Sri Lanka said.

The Navy has initiated a search and rescue mission. 

Fourteen crew members are on board the MV INTEGRITY STAR, including nationals from India, Turkey and Azerbaijan, the ministry confirmed. (Newswire)

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A group of bystanders have risked their lives to rescue a young couple who had been swept into the sea from the rocky edge behind the Dutch Hospital building at the Galle Fort.

The incident was captured on video by one of the people present at the scene.

According to reports, the couple were on the rocky edge behind the Dutch Hospital at Galle Fort last evening when, suddenly, a strong wave pulled both of them into the sea.

The officer in charge of security and administration at the Dutch Hospital, who had witnessed the incident, had jumped into the sea to rescue them. 

He then alerted nearby patrons at surrounding tourist establishments, who joined him in a strenuous effort to save the couple.

The rescued couple, who are residents of Ahangama and Lanumodara, were thereafter admitted to the Galle National Hospital. (Newswire)

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A mother and her child who were swept away by strong currents in the Menik Ganga near the Kataragama Devalaya on April 26 were rescued by troops from Sri Lanka’s National Guard. 

Heavy rains and the release of water from the Weheragala Reservoir had raised the river’s water level, leading to the incident. (Newswire)

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The Sri Lanka Police has felicitated a youth who had attempted to rescue a 19-year-old girl who was abducted in the Davulagala area in Gampola in January. 

The youth, who had sustained several injuries in the incident, was recognized for his heroic rescue attempt.

Video footage emerged of the girl being kidnapped by a group in a van on 11 January, with many social media users praising the youth for his brave attempt to rescue the schoolgirl.

At the time, Police investigations revealed that the main suspect in the abduction was the girl’s relative from her paternal side, and it was caused over marriage issues. (Newswire)

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A group of students that had gone missing while exploring the Hanthana mountain trail have been rescued and were brought back safely this morning, the Sri Lanka Army said. 

According to the Army, the students had ventured into the mountains yesterday but had delayed returning after one student had developed a cramp.

The students had lost their way becoming stranded by 06.00 pm due to loss of light and sudden mist. 

Upon being informed via the Police emergency hotline, the students were rescued during a joint search operation conducted by the Police and Army. 

It is reported that a group of 10 students from the Colombo and Kiribathgoda areas had engaged in the excursion due to school holidays. 

The students aged between 16 and 17 years had entered the Hanthana mountain trail via the Sarasavigama area in Peradeniya yesterday. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Navy rescued a family of three, including a young child, trapped by rising floodwaters in Mawadiodei, Chenkaladi yesterday.

The Navy said SLNS Kashyapa carried out this relief operation and successfully rescued the family stranded on farmland in the flood-affected area. The family was subsequently relocated to the District Secretariat of Eravur.

The rescue operation took place after the Sri Lanka Navy had deployed three flood relief teams to assist affected communities in the Mawadiodei, Mailawadduwan, and Manmunai areas in response to the flood situation in the Batticaloa district due to inclement weather.

The Navy has also mobilized 135 additional relief teams, ready for immediate deployment to assist those affected by flooding. (Newswire)

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The public engaged in a joint effort to rescue a toddler who had accidentally gotten locked inside a vehicle in Sri Lanka.

Video footage shows the toddler locked inside a mini lorry parked on the side of a busy road of which details are unknown.

A Police officer and the public together are seen attempting multiple ways to unlock the vehicle.

However, the toddler is rescued only after the spare key of the vehicle is brought to the location. (NewsWire)

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