Over 70,000 displaced due to the adverse weather

COLOMBO (News 1^st) – Sri Lankan's faced yet another obstacle in their life. The prevalent weather caused damages around the country. It was stated by the DMC that more than 166,200 people of 43,604 families have been affected and over 70,000 have been displaced and being sheltered in 339 relief camps. According to the DMC, 121 houses have been destroyed while more than 5,000 houses and 166 business premises have been damaged. The death toll is 23 and one person have been reported missing, says the Director of Operation at DMC, Brigadier Athula Ariyarathne. Assistant Director of the Gampaha District Disaster Management Centre, M. Ajith Nishantha said 12,925 people in the Gampaha district have been affected due to the adverse weather. The Irrigation Department states that a minor flood situation is still prevalent at the Aththanagalu Oya in Dunumale. Director of Hydrology at the department Mala Alawathugoda said that however, the water levels of the Kelani, Kalu, Nilwala, Maoya and Gin river are returning to normalcy. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education said all schools in the Gampaha district will be closed today (May 28).

RED WARNING

The Landslide Red Warning has been issued to the districts of Nuwara Eliya, Kalutara, Galle, Kegalle and Ratnapura. The National Building Research Organisation noted that the warning was issued as the areas have received rainfall exceeding 150 MM within the last 24 hours.

Three fishermen missing

Three fishermen who set off to sea from Jaffna have gone missing. The three fishermen had set off sail from the Kurukattuwan area in Jaffna, last Saturday (May 26) evening. According to Police, the missing fishermen had contacted their families yesterday and informed them that the sea was rough. Police said operations have been launched in search of them, with the assistance of Sri Lanka Navy.

Final rights of the Police sergeant, Dilan Perera

The Final rites of Police sergeant Dilan Perera who sacrificed his life to save those affected by the disaster will be conducted today (May 28) at the general cemetery in Malgamuwa Giriulla. 28-year-old Dilan was part of a team of policemen who set out to rescue a group of children trapped in a house in Galmuruwa Madampe on the 25^th of this month. Although the team was able to rescue the group of children Dilan was held away in the currents. Following a search operation launched by Security forces and area residents, his body was found 200m from where he was reported missing. Dilan was posthumously promoted to the position of sergeant.