Defence Secretary Karunasena Hettiarachchi said that the water level in Diyawanna Oya was around 1.3 m above sea level. If it rises to above 1.8 m, the Parliamentary Complex will be flooded, he added
As a precautionary measure , the Sri Lanka Navy was deployed to take steps preventing flood water seep into the Parliamentary complex. This step was taken due to the rising water levels in the Diyawanna Oya.
The Navy placed sand bags around on the night of May 15 and the early morning hours on May 16 to protect the building from rising water levels.
Navy Commander Vice Admiral Ravindr Wijewardena also arrived at the Parliamentary Complex to inspect the operation by the navy.