UPDATE : More Focus Now on Relocating & Relief Operations

Search for any more survivors in landslide-hit Bulathkohupitya areas  has now been given up, and instead more attention is focused on ongoing relief and relocating operations of the Army, although mutilated human remains in Aranayake tragedy, still continue to appear from time to time, says Brigadier Jayanath Jayaweera, Military Spokesman.

By Saturday (21) early morning, Army troops in Colombo suburbs have meanwhile managed to rescue, evacuate and relocate an estimated total of 46,210 affected people, using about 56 boats of the Army and civilians while the missing figures in Aranayake have risen to about 141 persons, although exact figures, need yet to be confirmed.

Similarly, 14 Division troops with the help of buffels, trucks and armoured tanks of the Army are in action to trace more and more stranded victims, probably still languishing in risky places such as roof tops, trees, concrete slabs, hidden places, etc, Brigadier Jayaweera added.

In the past 24 hours, Army troops have distributed 60,000 cooked meal packets in Wellampitiya, Kolonnawa, Kaduwela areas and immediate suburbs after they were prepared at Kelaniya Independent Transport Depot of the Army and in a few other places.

Lieutenant General Chrishanthe de Silva, Commander of the Army early this morning (21) spoke to Senior Officers, engaged in emergency operations and inquired into their needs, if any as reports said the waters have now begun to recede in some areas. He also stressed the need to be vigilant to any possible outbreaks of diseases in the aftermath of the floods and stressed the importance of being in constant touch with medical authorities as well.

In the meantime, troops of the Security Force Headquarters - Central (SFHQ - C) rose to the occasion and restored the movement of traffic along the road that leads to Gampola Beravila village areas which remained affected in a mini landslide on Friday (20).

Troops of the 2 Sri Lanka Rifle Corps (SLRC) prepared a detour avoiding the damaged portion of the road facilitating the vehicle movements within a few hours.

The same troops on Friday (20) provided a stock of dry rations to the displaced civilians in Gampola Ambuluwawa area.

Meanwhile, SFHQ-C troops distributed dry ration packs to the people effected by the landslide at Ilukwatta, Pilimatalawa with sponsorship of SENOK group of companies.