Sri Lanka Requests EU Sniffer Dogs to Locate Landslide Victims

Sri Lanka has requested assistance from the European Union to deploy specially trained sniffer dogs to help locate human remains of those missing after landslides triggered by Cyclone Ditwah, officials said.

An official from the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) told Daily Mirror that search operations are continuing in areas affected by the disaster, particularly in the central hill districts where large-scale landslides occurred.

Cyclone Ditwah made landfall on November 28, bringing unprecedented rainfall of up to 500mm in some regions. The severe weather caused widespread flooding and landslides, resulting in more than 600 deaths, while many others were reported missing after being buried alive.

According to the official, finding bodies trapped deep beneath debris remains extremely challenging using local resources alone. As a result, the government has formally requested the European Union to dispatch specially trained canines capable of detecting human remains in disaster zones.

These sniffer dogs are commonly used in international search-and-rescue operations due to their advanced scent detection abilities, particularly in locating bodies buried under rubble and soil.

The official added that the exact number of missing persons is still being compiled, as district secretaries are required to submit verified figures from their respective areas.

Search efforts remain ongoing as authorities work to provide closure to affected families.