Colombo, Sri Lanka, March 6 -- Ministry of Defence and Urban Development issued the following news release:

Following the flood emergency with the overflowing of Heda Oya in Ampara, the Sri Lanka Navy joining hands with the Sri Lanka Army, Air Force, Police and other agencies worked in full swing to provide necessary aid and support to devotees visiting a spiritual ceremony at Neelagiri Raja Maha Viharaya, Lahugala.

Due to overflowing of Heda Oya, the entrance to Neelagiri Raja Maha Viharaya in Lahugala was inundated. Accordingly, a Navy relief team was deployed to conduct Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) operations to facilitate the safe access for pilgrims traveling to the Neelagiri Raja Maha Viharaya for the sacred ...