The aftermath of the Kelani River breaking its banks continues to leave several areas inundated. Water gauge in the river showed the level at 7.3, a reduction compared to the water level on Thursday (May 19) night. However, Several areas including Sedawatte, Mahabuthgamuwa and Wellampitiya are still left inundated.

Persons displaced by the floods continued to remain on the Fly-Over in Peliyagoda even this evening (May 20). Meanwhile the Ministry of Disaster Management has expanded the scope of coordinating with the Disaster Management Center.

Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, Lieutenant General A W J C De Silva and Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy Vice Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne visited Orugodawatte this afternoon and instructed the personnel on rescue and relief missions.

A rise in the numbers…

Death toll – 64

Missing – 131 persons

Displaced – 319,573

Bodies recovered today – 22 (Aranayake – 4, Siripura – 18)

The operations to locate for those missing following the landslide in the Siripura Mountain entered its third day today. The early stages of the operation was hit by several interruptions from rain, suspending the activities from time to time. However, according to Major General Sudantha Ranasinghe who is the Commander of the Security Forces – West said that more limbs were discovered on site today.

Meanwhile Chathurika Sirisena was among those who visited the Aranayake landslide affected people.

The final rites of 09 persons who were killed in the landslide were performed today. The rites were performed following observances that took place the local schools where operations are being carried out from.

Furthermore, the Security Forces have decided to call off the search operation at the site of the landslide in Kalupahanawatte, Bulathkohupitiya where 14 bodies have been discovered so far and limbs of two other missing persons have been discovered.

25 families in the Hendagala Mountain, Meerigama have been evacuated due to the risk of a possible landslide. The NBRO Officials visited the location and inspected the site at a water way.

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