Government to provide immediate relief to flood affected in Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan government says it has taken measures to provide immediate relief to the people affected by the recent floods and landslides brought about by the current rainy weather.

The Minister of Disaster Management A.H.M. Fowzie has said that Assistant Government Agent's (AGA) offices and Government Agent's offices have been informed on the situation and sufficient funds have been allocated for disaster relief.

The Ministry has taken steps to immediately supply flood relief to the affected people. A sum of one million rupees has been allocated for the Galle district alone, the Minister said. The Rains have also affected people in the Kurunegala and Matara districts.

Reportedly over 2,000 have been affected by the floods and 8 deaths have been reported due to the adverse weather in certain parts of the country. Also around 75 houses have been destroyed.

However, due to the large scale projects being undertaken by the government to develop canal and drainage systems in the recent past, the current flood situation is not very severe, the Minister said.

The Meteorology Department has issued warnings of possible landslides in Nuwara Eliya, Matale, and Kandy and Kegalle districts.