The University of Moratuwa students who were rescued from a bus trapped in the floodwaters of the Kala Oya—which had overflowed onto the Puttalam A–12 road during the ‘Ditwah’ disaster—handed over a letter today – on Monday 08 December 2025, to the Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan, expressing their gratitude to His Excellency the President Anura Kumara Dissanayake for the swift action taken in their rescue operations.
The meeting took place at the Governor’s Secretariat. During the discussion, the Governor inquired into the students’ physical and mental well-being.
The students also shared with the Governor the challenging experiences they faced during the disaster. They described, with sorrow, the tragic incident in which one of their fellow passengers from Jaffna was swept away by the floodwaters and later recovered as a body, and the distress they faced during those critical moments.
They further recalled that the three naval officers who came for the rescue mission stayed with them for more than 24 hours in that dangerous, flood-surrounded environment and even rescued some individuals who had been swept away. The students made a special request to the Governor to recommend that these dedicated naval officers be honoured by the President.
Expressing their heartfelt gratitude to all those who assisted in the rescue operations—particularly to His Excellency the President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who expedited and guided the rescue efforts—the students submitted an official letter conveying their appreciation.
The Hon. Governor immediately forwarded the letter to bring it to the attention of His Excellency the President.
