A special joint operation has been launched to contain a sudden fire that broke out at the Anawilundawa Ramsar Wetland Sanctuary, with wildlife officials, the armed forces, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), the Divisional Secretariat and local residents joining the efforts.

Authorities are working on the ground to prevent the fire from spreading rapidly amid dry weather conditions and strong winds, which are hampering containment efforts.The operation is being carried out under the guidance of the Minister of Environment, the Deputy Minister and the Secretary to the Ministry of Environment, with emphasis on swift action to minimize the impact of disasters on sensitive ecosystems.Meanwhile, arrangements are being made to deploy Sri Lanka Air Force helicopters equipped with Bambi Buckets to drop seawater and assist in completely extinguishing the blaze.

The exact cause of the fire has not yet been established. The Department of Wildlife Conservation and security forces are investigating whether human activity, negligence or the prevailing dry weather conditions may have contributed to the outbreak.Authorities said all relevant agencies are working in close coordination to bring the fire under control and minimize damage to the sanctuary’s biodiversity and wildlife.