Rs. 7 mn for flood victims

by Ananda Kannangara

The Government yesterday allocated Rs. 7 million to provide relief assistance to at least 20,000 families, rendered homeless due to the torrential rains that were experienced throughout the country during the past few days.

According to the latest reports, eleven people were killed and a number of others were missing due to massive floods, earthquakes and lightning in the Gampaha, Galle, Kalutara, Colombo, Puttalam and Ratnapura districts.

Among the three victims, three persons had died at Yakkalamulla in the Galle District.

The Government had directed all divisional secretaries to provide Rs. 15,000 each to the next of kin of those who died due to floods. Meanwhile, several low lying areas in Colombo near the Kelani river, Bandaragama, Gampaha, Ratnapura, Borelasgamuwa, Kahatawela in Kesbewa, Horana, Dehiowita and Katunayake were inundated due to unprecedented rains on Friday evening.

Disaster Relief Management Ministry Director N.D. Hettiarachchi told the Sunday Observer that they had released Rs. 5 million for relief purposes and a special centre had also been set up at the Ministry premises to receive the latest reports on the situation.

"However we are ready to provide any assistance to flood victims from any place in the country," he said.

It was also reported that several highways in Piliyandala, Borelasgamuwa,

Avissawella, Horana, Rattanapitiya, Colombo, Attanagalla, Matugama, Wattala and Dankotuwa were submerged and transport services had come to a virtual standstill from Friday evening to Saturday morning.

Stormy weather to continue

When contacted, a senior Met Department official said that the present weather conditions would continue mostly in the evenings for another few days.