In response to the request by the Disaster Management Centre, the Sri Lankan Air Force (SLAF) deployed a Bell 412 helicopter equipped with a 980 litres Bambi Bucket from SLAF Base Katunayake to assist in dousing of a severe fire that had ignited in the Muthurajawela wetland reserve at Kerawalapitiya today (26 August 2022) evening.

A Bell - 412 helicopter from the No. 4 Squadron was utilized immediately to carry out the Bambi Bucket Operation on the instructions of the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana. Besides, drones were positioned for constant monitoring of the situation. The Bell – 412 Helicopter carried out 22 Bambi Bucket Operations before returning.

At the same time fire fighting vehicles and firemen were deployed on the ground to provide additional support for this operation.