The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) today sought the assistance of the Sri Lanka Air Force to douse the forest fire which broke out in the Walamalei Area in Sripada reserve. No. 61 helicopter Flight stationed at SLAF Base Ratmalana deployed one MI17 helicopter equipped with Bambi bucket for the operation.

The crew of MI17 helicopter battled the fire with the aid of it's under slung ‘Bambi bucket’ flying twelve consecutive sorties.