Heavy rains followed by floods and landslides have claimed 23 lives so far in six districts, police said. More than half of the deaths have been reported in the Kalutara District, the worst affected by torrential rains.

A total of 14 persons died in the Kalutara District from natural disasters caused by intermittent downpour since Sunday while 3 deaths each have been reported from Colombo and Ratnapura districts.

Galle, Matara and Kurunegala districts have recorded one death each, the Police Spokesman’s Office said, adding, several persons have been injured from weather related incidents across the country.  

Meanwhile the Minister of Disaster Management Mahinda Amaraweera stated that a sum of Rs 15,000 will be provided to the family of those who perished due to floods and landslides.

Addressing a press conference to brief media on the current disaster situation today, the Minister conceded that the grant is insufficient, but said that is the sum allocated for each victim by the Treasury.

He stated that Rs 4 million, Rs 1.5 million, Rs 1 million and Rs 1 million have been provided to the District Secretaries of the Kalutara, Gampaha, Galle and Ratnapura districts respectively in addition to Rs 500,000 for emergency needs.

Kalutara District is the worst affected district by torrential rains with 12,651 persons displaced.

Over 40 houses have been completely destroyed due to heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding in the district while another 101 homes have been partially damaged.

Palinda Nuwara, Bulathsinhala, Walallawita and Millaniya Divisional Secretary Areas have been surrounded by water and therefore the people in those areas are being provided with dry rations and other supplies.