A 25-year-old woman who had gone missing since last Sunday (5) afternoon while collecting firewood at Nuwara Eliya Estate, has been traced in a combined operation by the Army troops,Police, Special Task Force and Estate workers.

J Balan Kathmuna Tharani had gone to collect firewood at Nuwara Eliya Estate with her mother on Sunday afternoon and had gone missing ever since.

She was found last afternoon (9) at about 6.30 pm and immediately admitted to Nuwara Eliya Hospital for immediate treatment.

The missing woman was found completely dehydrated and lying on ground when search teams reached her despite inclement weather patterns and dense jungle in the area.

"The woman residing at No 535 K, Bambarakele, Aluthkolaniya, Shanthipura along with her mother had gone into the area to collect firewood with her mother but after a while as dusk fell, the whereabouts of her daughter were not traced despite her initial efforts and calls for help," the Army said.

On being informed, this combined Special Search Operation was launched within hours and it went on continuously with the support and guidance given by estate workers as members of search teams joined the mission from time to time during the past 4 days. Further, Investigations are carried out by the Nuwaraeliya Police Station.

The entire rescue operation was commanded by the Commanding Officer of the 3 Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment under command to the Headquarters of the112 Brigade on the directions of the GOC, 11 Division, Commander 112 Brigade and the Commander, Security Forces - Central.