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Minister of Disaster Management, Mahinda Amaraweera said that operations to locate the victims of the Koslanda, Miriyabadda Landslide will continue on Friday as well.

The Minister added that people from several other parts of the country have been displaced by the inclement weather.

Minister Mahinda Amaraweera added:

[quote]Search operations that were halted due to inclement weather conditions on Thursday, will re-commence on Friday. Army and Airforce personnel are all working in the search operation. Three hundred and thirty (330) people had been residing in the area, from which 75 are children and individuals who set out to work have been saved from the tragedy. However, 137 persons are still missing.. Meanwhile, several other areas which were inundated due to the rainy weather prevailing in the island have also been reported. Damage to homes and property have been reported from several district secretariat areas including the Wellawaya District Secretariat, the Godakawela District Secretariat and the Thanamalwila District Secretariat.[/quote]

 However, the Minister Mahinda Amaraweera noted that 138 persons are still missing…

In the meantime, the Commander of the Central Security Forces Headquarters Major General Mano Perera said that additional troops were dispatched on Friday night from Colombo to assist in the search operations.

He said that sniffer dogs and a detachment of commandos were among those who have been mobilised.

Sirasa Shakthi Sahana Yathra

Meanwhile, you can also extend your help to the survivors of this tragedy by contributing to Sirasa Shakthi Sahana Yathra which recommenced on Thursday.

The Sirasa Shakthi Saha Yathra which has always sprung into action at a time of natural disaster has recommenced the initative to collect relief items for those who have been plagued by the Koslanda landslide.

Your donations will be welcome and can be dropped off at our Head Office situated in Braybrooke Place Colombo– 2 , the Stein Studios in Ratmalana, the Vivekananda Centre at New Chetty Street, and the Ramakrishna Mission Hall in Wellawatte.

You can contribute to the Sahana Yathra by donating items as:

• Instant noodles
• Biscuits
• Milk powder
• Sanitary items

Clothing items along with sheets, pillows and blankets.

You can drop off these items only until 12 midnight on Friday as the Sirasa Shakthi Sahana Yathra will be setting off to the affected area at dawn Saturday.

You could also contribute by providing lorries to transport the collected items to those affected. For further information you could contact our hotline 011- 4 896 896.

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