The rescuers have found eight bodies so far whilst several hundred are still feared to be trapped under a mountain of earth that buried an entire village in Haldummulla, Badulla this morning, the police said.
The landslide reported in Meeriyabeddawatta area around 6.30am today, where about 60 to 80 line houses of the estate workers located on a row of several layers were affected.
The large mound of earth had covered the entire area, where the residents are suspected to be either buried alive or trapped under the rubble, Police Spokesman SSP Ajith Rohana said.
Rescue missions are underway by the officials of the Disaster Management Centre, the police, members of the three forces and people in the surrounding areas.
The recovered bodies are yet to be identified and the rescuers are busy engaged in searching for remaining survivors and the bodies.
Meanwhile ten schools in Haldummulla area had been closed until Monday.