By P. Karunakharan, IANS,
Colombo : Floods and landslides due to heavy rains in several parts of Sri Lanka have left at least four people dead and several thousands displaced.
Kalutara, Galle, Ratnapura and Gamapaha districts have been badly hit, Minister of Disaster Relief Services Ameer Ali told IANS Monday.
He said the worst affected were Ratnapura and Kalutara, where several houses have gone under water. More torrential rains have been forecast in the region.
Torrential monsoonal rains have caused the Kalu Ganga, Nilwala Ganga, Gin Ganga and Kelani Ganga rivers to overflow, displacing at least 9,745 families.
Minister Ali said two air force helicopters and navy boats were deployed to rescue and assist thousands of flood victims. The displaced families have been provided temporary shelter in government schools and temples.
“We have made arrangements to pay initially Rs.15,000 as funeral expenses for the families of the dead,” Ali said.