The Special Task Force of the Police rescued the five pilgrims who had lost their way while making the pilgrimage to the top of Sri Pada.
The five had entered the Sri Pada forest reserve through the upper division of the Laxapana Estate on Monday, but lost their bearings soon after.
The Sri Lanka Air Force deployed a Bell 412 to locate the missing pilgrims, while the Special Task Force was sent to facilitate their rescue.
Four of the pilgrims are residents of Nugegoda that include a woman.
The fifth is an estate worker attached to the Laxapana Estate.